It will contribute funding of between 拢220m and 拢275m in partnership with local authorities across the country to replace the 26 schools, with a further phase of investment to be announced within 12 months. The first projects could open by 2022-23.
Scottish Futures Trust will manage the programme on behalf of the Scottish government.
Several of the projects bring together nurseries, schools, colleges and universities in multi-purpose campuses for pupils aged from three to 18, with additional facilities that benefit surrounding communities.
First minister Nicola Sturgeon, Education secretary John Swinney and COSLA spokesperson for resources Councillor Gail Macgregor launched the strategy alongside projects at Peterhead Academy, one of four Aberdeenshire schools being replaced in this phase.
鈥淭his additional 拢1 billion investment will benefit around 50,000 pupils across Scotland, with the first phase set to upgrade and modernise schools across 11 of our local authority areas,鈥� said Sturgeon. 鈥淭his investment builds on the progress that we have made over the last 10 years. The National Statistics published today reveal that, even before today鈥檚 announcement, Scotland鈥檚 school estate has never been in better condition, with a record percentage in good or satisfactory condition. That is a result of sustained investment and we will now build on that.
鈥淢odern, state of the art buildings can make a real difference to the lives of pupils, teachers and parents, as well as the wider communities they serve. This investment continues our efforts to improve the condition of our entire learning estate, from early years through to schools and colleges.鈥�
Swinney said: 鈥淭he progress made through Scotland鈥檚 Schools for the Future has had a significant impact on the condition of schools across the country - almost 90% of pupils are learning in schools in good or satisfactory condition.
鈥淲e are committed to making even more progress and I have seen myself the urgency with which some schools require updating. The first phase of the 拢1 billion Learning Estate Investment Programme prioritises schools in need of updating or where there are significant capacity issues, as identified by local authorities, to ensure rapid progress where most required."
The 拢1bn Learning Estate Investment Programme was announced in November 2018.
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