Government Investing in Schools
Students will soon be attending more new, modern schools and have more educational choices thanks to the province's capital plan for 2014-15.
The education capital plan will invest $94.6 million, which includes building 10 new schools, renovating and improving 18 others, purchasing 70 new buses and reducing energy use in schools.
"Our students need modern education facilities to prepare them to be tomorrow's entrepreneurs, innovators and skilled workers," Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Karen Casey said today, Dec. 23. "Under this plan, we are building and improving schools across the province and establishing four new skilled-trades centres to open that career path for students in those communities.
"This is a significant commitment to the education of our young people."
The new skilled trade centres will be established at Avon View High School in Windsor, Dalbrae Academy in Mabou, Dr. J.H. Gillis High in Antigonish and Ecole Secondaire du Sommet in Halifax.
Ms. Casey announced five new schools will join the five under construction. The new schools will be in:
- Bridgetown (grades Primary-12)
- Sheet Harbour (P-12)
- South-end Halifax (elementary)
- Tatamagouche (P-12)
- Yarmouth (elementary)
Major new renovation projects include upgrading Park View Education Centre in Bridgewater and improving Wolfville School. Other projects include Dr. W.A. MacLeod in Riverton and Ecole acadienne de Truro.
The capital plan includes substantially increased funding for small capital projects, such as roof repairs and replacement windows, and second-year funding for an energy efficiency program that affects 90 Halifax Regional School Board schools.
Under the capital plan, the province will purchase and renovate a building in Sydney to serve as a bus maintenance facility for Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board.