Credit: This story was first seen on the Glasgow Evening Times
Glasgow’s schools can match the quality of private schools – that’s the message from council leader Frank McAveety, the Glasgow Evening Times reports.
Mr McAveety spoke to the Evening Times during a tour of Clyde Campus, in Yoker, as he surveyed the progress of the latest work of the city’s 4Rs programme.
January marks the start of the final year of the five-year project to rebuild or refurbish every C or D grade primary and nursery school in Glasgow.
When it concludes at the end of this year, £256m will have been spent.
The latest build under construction is Clyde Campus, which will see Garscadden and Yoker primaries merge to become Clyde Primary.
Thirlestane and Kelso nurseries will join to become Yoker Burn Nursery.
And St Brendan’s Primary will complete the multi-faith new campus, which will cost nearly £22m.
Mr McAveety said: “If you’re building something as good as we’re seeing here today, you’re sending a strong message that you value education, you value that children should have the best conditions available to make the best of themselves.
“I’m a great believer in that our schools should be in as good a condition as those who are purchasing their education. They spend a lot of money to get their kids a school experience that is top notch. Why can’t we have the best for Glasgow kids as well?”
Over the past 15 years, Glasgow City Council has spent more than £609m on schools, building 43 new primaries and four stand-alone nurseries.
The most recently completed new build was Tower View Nursery, in Gartharmlock, which was handed over to staff on December 21 last year and will see pupils move in this month.
Rowena Nursery, in Knightswood, had its official opening in July last year and Dalmarnock Nursery will be handed over in May this year.
Gowanbank and Broomhill primary schools are both underway with work around 50% completed.
The construction of Dalmarnock, Blairdardie and Carntyne primaries will start in the summer while a consultation is currently underway regarding a new school for the north of the city.