Part of 1. 1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education – in the Senedd at 1:58 pm on 22 March 2017.
The Member’s absolutely right to emphasise the investment that’s taken place in schools across Wales. Band A has seen a rebuild and refurbishment of over 150 schools and colleges across Wales. That’s a real investment in the education of children and young people for the future. The second wave will begin—band B will begin in 2019 and run over a five-year period to 2024. Investment priorities for the next funding period are currently being developed in partnership with local authorities, further education institutions and others. The aim of the band B programme is to reduce the number of poor condition schools and colleges, to provide enough places to deliver Welsh and English-medium education, and ensure effective and efficient use of the educational estate. And I would advise all of those who have an interest in that to have conversations immediately with local authorities and take these matters forward.