Major schools investment

St Francis Primary School in Lurgan will benefit from almost £290,000 investment while St Anthony’s Primary School in Craigavon will receive £185,000 from the Department of Education’s minor works scheme.

Speaking about the funding announcement, Education Minister John O’Dowd said: “My Department has agreed investment of nearly £290,000 for additional toilet provision at the school.

“A total of 74 minor works projects amounting to over £8 million were agreed in June across all board areas, providing ongoing investment in the schools estate.”

Minor works are schemes less than £500,000 and are projects ranging from minor repair to more significant work projects and extensions.

In conclusion the Minister said: “I am confident that the substantial investment in minor works projects will help in the drive to improve educational standards in addition to providing a boost to the local construction industry. The completion of all of these works will ultimately provide better facilities for our children and young people to learn in and an improved working environment for teachers and other school staff.”

The contract for work to be carried out at St Francis Primary School has been awarded to Canavan Construction Ltd, Ballyronan.

Minor works are schemes less than £500,000 and are projects ranging from minor repair to more significant work projects and extensions.

The contract for work to be carried out at St Anthony’s Primary School has been awarded to Western Building systems, Coalisland.

The Department of Education’s ‘Education Works’ campaign encourages families to play, talk, read and count with their child and to ‘Get Involved Because Education Works’