An additional £40.5 million of funding has been allocated this
year to support essential capital repairs and maintenance across
schools, colleges and universities in Wales.
This builds on the previous announcement of £20 million for
schools and colleges made in January.
This funding will support large scale maintenance works such as
replacement of roofs, window systems, heating and ventilation
systems, and electrical works, with the funding delivered via the
Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme and Medr.
The funding will see £15 million allocated across all local
authorities in Wales for schools, alongside £25.5 million
allocated equally to colleges and universities to invest into
transformation and maintenance projects. For colleges, the
additional money will help with increased participation
particularly in vocation courses for example by expanding
workshop provision. Previous funding has been used by
universities to support projects that reduce their operating
costs and enhance student and staff facilities.
Alongside improving learning facilities for learners, the
Sustainable Communities for Learning programme has supported
Wales's climate goals, with all maintenance works helping to
reduce energy use and carbon emissions. Investment has
helped to support better insulation, efficient heating and
energy-efficient windows creating more sustainable learning
environments that are cheaper to run and better for the
environment.
Cabinet Secretary for Education, , said: "In the last
ten years we have invested £3.6bn in over 330 projects to build
and improve new school and college buildings in every local
authority, through the Sustainable Communities for Learning
programme.
“This funding has helped to provide modern, fit for purpose
buildings, designed to educate the next generation and invested
in our local communities.
"The additional funding announced today will help support local
authorities across Wales to invest once again in our school
estate."
The Minister for Further and Higher Education, , said: “Investing
in our colleges and universities buildings, is also an investment
in delivering our future skills and ambitions as a nation.
“The additional money once again reinforces our commitment to
post 16 learning and ensures learners benefit from sustainable
learning environments.
“The funding will help colleges with increased participation in
vocational courses; this includes expanding workshops and
adapting learning spaces.
“For universities investment is via Medr and will allow
universities to continue to fund projects that have helped
generate long-term running cost savings through increased energy
efficiency and reduced ongoing maintenance costs and enhance
student experience through improved student facilities and
digital services.”
Cabinet Secretary for Finance, , said: “Our
budget is supporting vital public services, and we have allocated
over £60m to help improve schools and education settings. This
money will provide a positive impact to schools, colleges, and
higher education settings across Wales.
“Well-designed buildings play an important role in creating
engaging learning environments, alongside supporting our net zero
ambitions.”
