News / Hopes high for Happyhansel refurb
A SHETLAND primary school could have an extension added as well as its roof and kitchen refurbished by 2013 thanks to a £936,000 contribution from the Scottish government.
Parents, teachers and pupils have been waiting for the last decade for the urgent work to improve Happyhansel primary school, in Walls to be given the green light. Now the plans will have to be fast tracked through the council’s capital programme to win the government cash.
Shetland Islands Council is required to match fund the allocation from the Scottish Futures Trust.
Should councillors be so minded, building work is expected to be completed in the 2013/14 financial year.
SIC head of schools Helen Budge said on Thursday that work on the 48 pupil school had been long overdue.
“This project has been waiting for 12 years and with this funding we will be able to do the work.
“It is good news for the west side, as it kept being knocked back to the bottom of the capital programme because the council couldn’t find the money to do the work,” she said.
The allocation was announced on Wednesday by schools minister Keith Brown as part of a £300 million schools programme over the next five years.
The minister said: “Scotland’s Schools for the Future represents much needed government investment – over £300m through this first tranche – which will benefit pupils, teachers, families and the local community in Walls, as well as across the length and breadth of Scotland.”
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