NI Finance Minister Sammy Wilson has the importance of investing in the country’s school estate to help to improve the standard of education.

The Minister was speaking after visiting the construction site for the new building at Grosvenor Grammar School, where he used to teach, and the recently completed Ashfield Girls’ School, both in East Belfast.

Speaking at Grosvenor Grammar School, the Minister said: "I have previously highlighted the record levels of gross capital investment being delivered by the Executive, and this year will be no different. We are currently on track to deliver £1.7billion of gross capital investment in this financial year. That is over £4.6million every day.

"These figures may look impressive, however this is what they mean – new roads, new hospitals, and, as I have seen today, new schools. This money is providing the facilities needed to deliver a world-class education for our young people.

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"As we look at ways of encouraging economic growth, equipping the next generation of leaders with a quality education is a first step in ensuring the Executive’s aspiration of a flourishing local economy can become a reality.

"It is pleasing to visit the school where I used to teach economics to see a practical example of how the Executive is helping the construction industry and boosting the local economy during the current economic downturn."

Designed by Robinson McIlwaine Architects, the new school includes classroom blocks, administration offices, staff and sixth form accommodation, a multi-purpose hall, gymnasium, sports hall, fitness suite, library and lecture/dance studios. Within the grounds, extensive sports facilities will be provided to cater for a wide range of activities including athletics, cricket, football and rugby. Two multi purpose all-weather pitches will also be created, one of which will be floodlit. The new school is scheduled for completion next month.

Mr Wilson also visited Ashfield Girls’ High School. He said: "These state of the art facilities are an example of the successful partnership approach between the Belfast Education and Library Board and Amey-FMP. Not only do such partnerships help with the planning and delivery of projects, but they also speed up the procurement process."

Todd Architects designed the new Ashfield Girls’ High School. Construction commenced in April 2008 and was completed in September 2009 at a total cost of approximately £18million. The building has a total floor area of 9,996 sq m located on a site of 5.18 hectares.

The schools projects have been identified as examples of best practice in construction by Constructing Excellence NI.

(NS/BMcC)