Panel to review state of school buildings

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-30798993

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Efforts to improve school buildings will be looked at by an expert group set up by the Scottish government.

The panel will review existing guidance for assessing the state of buildings and suggest improvements to ministers by the autumn.

Last year, Keane Wallis-Bennett, 12, a pupil at Liberton High School, was killed when a wall fell on top of her at the Edinburgh school.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive is ongoing.

Since 2007, the proportion of schools reported as being in a "good" or "satisfactory" condition has risen to 83% and the number of pupils in poor or bad buildings has more than halved.

The group will consist of representatives from both public and private organisations.

Fit for purpose

Angela Constance, cabinet secretary for education, said: "We want all our children and young people to learn in good quality schools that are safe and fit for purpose and we are working hard to ensure that is the case across the country.

"This review will ensure local authorities have up-to-date and clear guidance on how to accurately and reliably assess the condition of their school estate and I look forward to hearing the group's recommendations later this year."

She added: "The Scottish government places a huge emphasis on high quality learning and is committed to delivering high quality, well designed, sustainable schools.

"That is why, by 2020, more than 100 schools will have been rebuilt or refurbished across Scotland through our £1.8bn schools for the future programme."