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Decades to fix school buildings Decades to fix school buildings
(about 7 hours later)
It could take up to 20 years to make all schools in Scotland fit for purpose, despite billions of pounds of recent investment. It could take up to 20 years to make all schools in Scotland fit for purpose, despite billions of pounds of recent investment, a report says.
According to a report from Audit Scotland, since 2000, £3.9 billion has been committed to new schools and improvements. Audit Scotland said that since 2000 £3.9bn had been committed to new schools and improvements.
That figure is expected to rise to £5.2 billion by April. That is expected to rise to £5.2bn by April. About a third of schools were said to be in poor or bad condition.
The organisation said about a third of schools were still in poor or bad condition. The Scottish Government said schools had been neglected for decades. Labour accused the SNP of a lack of action.
In the late 1990s, the then Scottish Executive began a programme of school building and renewal.In the late 1990s, the then Scottish Executive began a programme of school building and renewal.
New schoolsNew schools
According to the report, published jointly by the Accounts Commission and the auditor general, it included the promise of financial support for councils which used private finance (PFI) to renew their schools.According to the report, published jointly by the Accounts Commission and the auditor general, it included the promise of financial support for councils which used private finance (PFI) to renew their schools.
A new strategy in 2003 aimed to raise the quality of the school estate over a period of at least 10-15 years.A new strategy in 2003 aimed to raise the quality of the school estate over a period of at least 10-15 years.
John Baillie, chairman of the Accounts Commission, said: "Ten years ago many of Scotland's schools were in a state of serious disrepair.John Baillie, chairman of the Accounts Commission, said: "Ten years ago many of Scotland's schools were in a state of serious disrepair.
"Since then, 219 new schools have been built and many others refurbished. Councils are working hard to improve how they manage their school estates.""Since then, 219 new schools have been built and many others refurbished. Councils are working hard to improve how they manage their school estates."
The national strategy should be reviewed, using the better information that is now available to specify the performance targets Robert BlackAuditor General for ScotlandThe national strategy should be reviewed, using the better information that is now available to specify the performance targets Robert BlackAuditor General for Scotland
Local-government body Cosla said the progress demonstrated the "commitment" councils had towards improvement "despite resource constraints."Local-government body Cosla said the progress demonstrated the "commitment" councils had towards improvement "despite resource constraints."
But the report argued that the national strategy lacked "clear and consistent definitions" for refurbishment, renewal or improvement .But the report argued that the national strategy lacked "clear and consistent definitions" for refurbishment, renewal or improvement .
It said it was not possible to measure exactly how many schools across Scotland had been improved.It said it was not possible to measure exactly how many schools across Scotland had been improved.
Robert Black, auditor general for Scotland, said: "The national strategy should be reviewed, using the better information that is now available to specify the performance targets."Robert Black, auditor general for Scotland, said: "The national strategy should be reviewed, using the better information that is now available to specify the performance targets."
Responding to the report, a Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "There can be no doubt that the school estate was neglected for decades. That was never going to be changed overnight. But a start has been made."Responding to the report, a Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "There can be no doubt that the school estate was neglected for decades. That was never going to be changed overnight. But a start has been made."
The government also said it was in the process of developing an alternative funding mechanism, the Scottish Futures Trust.The government also said it was in the process of developing an alternative funding mechanism, the Scottish Futures Trust.
Labour said the report highlighted the work of the previous executive in improving schools.
'Greater clarity''Greater clarity'
Labour said the report highlighted the work of the previous executive in improving schools.
Its education spokeswoman, Rhona Brankin said: "The SNP are trying to hide behind their plans for a Scottish Futures Trust, but their ongoing consultation is causing nothing but unnecessary delays and cancellations of pending projects."Its education spokeswoman, Rhona Brankin said: "The SNP are trying to hide behind their plans for a Scottish Futures Trust, but their ongoing consultation is causing nothing but unnecessary delays and cancellations of pending projects."
The Conservatives argued that there needed to be greater clarity about what a Scottish government and council review would actually entail. The Conservatives argued that there needed to be greater clarity about what a Scottish Government and council review would actually entail.
The Liberal Democrats urged the government to implement the recommendations and publish a clear timescale and funding details.The Liberal Democrats urged the government to implement the recommendations and publish a clear timescale and funding details.
The report also highlighted issues of design. In a sample study of 18 new or refurbished schools, although pupils and staff were generally satisfied, they said the design could be better.The report also highlighted issues of design. In a sample study of 18 new or refurbished schools, although pupils and staff were generally satisfied, they said the design could be better.
Many said their schools overheat and have poor ventilation.Many said their schools overheat and have poor ventilation.
The report said an early problem was that environmental sustainability was not a key factor in the designs, but more recently there had been some examples of environmental factors being considered.The report said an early problem was that environmental sustainability was not a key factor in the designs, but more recently there had been some examples of environmental factors being considered.