INVESTMENT in school buildings looks likely to emerge as a chief beneficiary from the Scottish Executive’s three-year spending review, published on Wednesday.
Further details on the education implications will be revealed later but Jack McConnell, the Finance Minister, said in his statement to Parliament that more than 100 schools would be renovated or built over three years, probably through additional support for public private partnership.
Overall, Mr McConnell said, spending on education and children would be more than pound;5 billion by 2003-04. This includes spending on education by local authorities which will be increased to pound;3 billion by 2004.
But this will have to pay for extra resources for special educational needs and school building improvements as well as the costs of the McCrone recommendations, none of which is itemised.
Full analysis next week
