Eglinton school celebrating

Pupils from Broadbridge Primary School celebrate the good news that the school is to receive substantial funding.

The announcement was made as part of the School Enhancement Programme and Minister O’Dowd said it was also “an investment in the future of our young people”.

Speaking on Friday, he said the improved and new accommodation would provide better facilities for young people to learn in and an improved working environment for all the school staff.

“Ongoing investment in our schools’ estate is essential if we are to continue to provide a high quality education. This announcement has been made possible by an increase in the DE capital budget of £46.9million or 32 per cent in the financial year 2016/17.

So far 34 SEP projects are in construction or have been completed. Construction work for these 12 additional projects will proceed in the 2016/17 financial year.

“This level of investment also provides a significant boost for the local construction industry and in turn, the local economy,” he said.

The School Enhancement Programme (SEP) is a capital build programme targeted to meet the immediate and pressing needs in schools, with construction projects costing between £500,000 and £4,000,000.

Welcoming the announcement, the principal of the school, Tony McLaughlin, said: “The children, parents, governors and staff are absolutely delighted with the news.

“We have been raising funds during the past two years in anticipation of this announcement and to help pay for the provision of a large assembly/sports hall. I’m sure that all of our supporters, both past pupils and friends from all over and to whom we are so grateful, will be delighted to hear that the project has finally come to fruition.”