Schools get extra cash

The aim is to improve the school environment

Every school in Scotland will be given cash for new books, equipment and minor building repairs, the country's education minister has pledged.

Jack McConnell says the multi-million pound cash injection will be the first stage of a new "long-term strategy approach" to improving Scotland's school environment.

Head teachers will be given the freedom to choose where they spend the money - whether it be on buildings or in the classroom.

Mr McConnell said: "Children in Scotland deserve to learn in a positive environment to allow them to reach their full potential.

Jack McConnell: Stage one of developments

"By providing extra money for books, equipment and minor repairs for every school across the country, we are taking another first step towards ensuring that happens.

"I want to see equipment and maintenance of school buildings improved year after year.

"This money, which will be available immediately, will be used for local priorities and help in the drive for continuous improvements in every area of education.

"This will allow head teachers to get on with improving their school using the knowledge they and their colleagues have of what needs to be done."

Driving up standards

Mr McConnell went on to confirm that he would be meeting council leaders in the coming months to further improve the "learning environment".

He added: "This is step one in the first real strategy to improve the learning environment and forms a key part of our determination to drive up standards across the board in education.

"But we cannot achieve that alone.

"It is important that councils and the executive work in partnership to deliver quality in all areas of education.

"I know we share a commitment to meet the needs of education in the 21st century and I look forward to working with them to deliver that aim."

Move welcomed

Pat Watters, vice president of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla), said she welcomed Mr McConnell's announcement.

The minister's announcement of cash for every school is simply a con because he will not guarantee the money will reach head teachers for use in their school

Tory education spokesman Brian Monteith

She added: "The executive knows that we share their commitment to raising standards in schools and there is no doubt that our schoolchildren deserve the right to be taught in the best possible environment."

"I am also pleased that the education minister will meet council leaders as this will give us the chance to get round the table with him and look at this whole area in greater depth."

The Scottish Liberal Democrats also welcomed news, saying the move was gave greater flexibility.

But Tory education spokesman Brian Monteith MSP said the money should go directly to schools rather than through local authorities.

He said: "The minister's announcement of cash for every school is simply a con because he will not guarantee the money will reach head teachers for use in their school.

"The minister says that the head teachers know best how the money should be spent, but for the third year in a row the Scottish government's ideological straightjacket means the money will in fact go to the local authorities who decide how to allocate it."