Major investment is required to bring Dundee’s school and nursery estate up to scratch, it has emerged.
One in four buildings has been assessed as “poor” by the Scottish Government, meaning they are showing “major defects” or failing to operate adequately.
Dundee City Council has already spent £3.5 million on improving numerous other schools over the past year to boost standards.
And that means the condition of three-quarters of the 54 school buildings in the city has been assessed as good or satisfactory the two highest ratings.
While that is welcome, education vice-convener Gregor Murray accepts more must be done, with another package of “major” works planned.
Nine of the sub-standard schools are already earmarked for replacement with brand new schools as part of an overhaul of the school estate.
The remaining four will be improved, with the most significant investment planned for Braeview Academy and Craigie High.
Funding for all the projects has already been agreed.
Mr Murray said: “There is a clear link between the quality of school buildings and the educational experience of our young people.
“That is one of the reasons that in recent years we have undertaken a massive capital investment in our school estate.
“That has been not just in building new premises like Victoria Park or Camperdown primaries but also spending money on the likes of Braeview Academy and Craigie High School to deliver general refurbishment and upgrades to teaching areas as well as continuing the window replacement programme and planned improvements to heating systems.”
More than half of the recent investment, £1.9m, was secured from the Scottish Government to improve nursery accommodation for the city’s under threes.
That has seen nursery accommodation created at Glebelands, Sidlaw View and St Pius primary schools and at the Woodlea Children’s Centre.
In addition to those nursery improvements, there have been significant upgrades to a number of schools.