East End to benefit from Scottish Government's school building programme

John Mason, the SNP MP for Glasgow East, has welcomed the announcement that the construction of a new-build Garrowhill Primary is to go ahead, thanks to the Scottish Government's £1.25 billion school building programme.  The good news for Garrowhill was announced by Scotland's Cabinet Secretary for Education, Fiona Hyslop MSP, earlier today.

The £1.25 billion school building programme was set up by the SNP Government to assist local councils with improvements in their schools.  The City of Glasgow had asked the Scottish Government for money to re-build two primaries, Garrowhill and Glendale.  However, under the plan unveiled today, the City Council will also be allowed to nominate a third primary school project.

Local MP, John Mason, had previously written to the Scottish Government in support of the Garrowhill bid.  Welcoming the announcement, John Mason said: "This is great news for Garrowhill and for Glasgow.  I have been pressing for improvements at Garrowhill Primary ever since I was elected as a councillor for the area in 1998.  However, it is important to put on record that this new school is only possible thanks to the SNP Government and the £1.25 billion school building programme that it has set up. Once again, the SNP has delivered for the East End.

"Although this is a day for celebration, I am very aware of the fact that there are other schools in my area which also urgently require improvement. These include St Bridget's Primary School and Caledonia Primary in Baillieston, Thorntree Primary and St Timothy's Primary in Greenfield, as well as Wellshot Primary in Tollcross.

"Keeping our school buildings in good condition is the responsibility of the Labour-led City Council, and it is a responsibility that they have been failing to meet for decades.  The Scottish Government's school building fund is meant to provide additional support, but the Labour Council really needs to start pulling its weight on schools."