SNP MSPs have welcomed the school building programme announced today which see 14 new secondary schools built and primary schools built across the country. 

SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson has campaigned over the failure of previous administrations to rebuild Garnock Academy – he is also Deputy Convenor of the Parliament’s Education Committee.  Welcoming the news Garnock Academy in North Ayrshire would be rebuilt by the SNP Government Mr Gibson said:

“The SNP is delivering where Labour and the Lib Dems have repeatedly failed.

“This new school will be incredibly welcome in the local community.  Not only will North Ayrshire pupils get a new school but this project will provide much needed work for the construction industry, protecting jobs and the economy.

“It is only under an SNP Government that money has been put into this and it is only the SNP that will deliver this school in the public sector.”

“The SNP is building schools for Scotland’s children lifting thousands of our young people out of substandard school accommodation, and I hope all parties will welcome this investment.

While the primary schools to be built have yet to be confirmed the news that all local authorities will benefit has been welcomed by SNP MSP Anne McLaughlin who said:

“The Scottish Government is going to provide extra funding to help councils build primary schools – on top of the capital funding Councils have already been given.

“The SNP knows how important education is and is investing in schools across the country.

“The news that primary schools are to be built in my own region of Glasgow and all other local authorities, and that the process of deciding which schools will be built is to be brought forward is good news for school children, parents and teachers.  I hope Glasgow’s schools will do well when the final projects are announced.

“This positive news from the SNP is in stark contrast to the Labour administration in Glasgow, closing schools and increasing class sizes.  I know this news will be well received by parents in Glasgow and across the country.”

SNP MSP Rob Gibson also welcomed the news of a new school for Wick High 

“The SNP’s commitment to rebuild Wick academy and to give Highland children the school they deserve for the good quality education they already get is a monumental decision for the area and shows the commitment this Government has to Scotland’s children.

“Wick has long been in need of a new school and unfortunately neither the previous Government nor the local authority has provided one.

“Construction in the highlands has been hit by recession, just like the rest of the country and along with Scottish Government investment in housing and infrastructure this is a further investment to keep the industry going.”

Welcoming two new schools for the Lothians, Lasswade in Midlothian and James Gillespies in Edinburgh Lothians SNP MSP Dr Ian McKee added:

“In Midlothian and on the south side of Edinburgh there will be real enthusiasm for these new schools.

“Along with Edinburgh Council’s commitment to build Portobello high school the city is finally getting the secondary schools it deserves.

“Importantly the strategy for building these schools will ensure they are not just new, but they are good quality schools to bring real benefit to our young people.”

Commenting on the two new schools in Aberdeenshire North East MSP Maureen Watt said:

“This is excellent news for Aberdeenshire and I know pupils in Ellon and Mearns will welcome this announcement.

“Instead of making unsubstantiated scare stories about school building, as Iain Gray did over Ellon, the SNP are getting on with the job and building new schools for Scotland’s children.”