FIVE new secondary schools are to be built in the west of Scotland as part of a classroom revolution designed to do away with crumbling buildings across the country.

FIVE new secondary schools are to be built in the west of Scotland as part of a classroom revolution designed to do away with crumbling buildings across the country.

Eastwood High in Newton Mearns, Clyde Valley High in Wishaw and Dumbarton Academy are among the first of 14 secondaries to benefit from a £1.25billion school building programme. Others include Garnock Academy in North Ayrshire and Ayr Academy.

Scotland's Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop made the announcement today during a visit to Lasswade High in Midlothian. Thousands of children who attend the five schools will benefit under the programme which is receiving £800m of funding from the Scottish government and another £450m from local councils.

Ms Hyslop said: "This government and local authorities are already on track to lift 100,000 school pupils, by 2011, out of tired and crumbling buildings and classrooms and providing them with cutting-edge accommodation and facilities in which to continue their education.

"As a result of the £2bn of capital funding for 2008-10 made available to local authorities, over 150 projects have been completed since May, 2007, and we expect 250 by 2011.

"What's more, the pace of building has quickened with new and refurbished schools being delivered faster over this four-year term than the last four- year term.

"Today's announcement is the latest step towards going even further and demonstrates our continued commitment to providing every pupil with the same high quality experience.

"Working in partnership with COSLA and local authorities we can deliver better school accommodation the length and breadth of Scotland and ensure our school estate is fit for the delivery of the Curriculum for Excellence."

There are no Glasgow schools in the announcement as all 29 secondary schools in the city have either been rebuilt or refurbished under previous PPP projects.

However, some of the city's ageing primaries are expected to be included in the second phase of the building programme, details of which will be announced later this year.

The names of the first batch of new-build primaries will be revealed by the government following discussion with COSLA.

Ms Hyslop added: "In June I announced the new £1.25bn school building programme which will, with £800m of Scottish government capital investment, deliver 55 new schools for Scotland.

"Today's announcement is the latest step towards turning that investment into better buildings.

"Pupils, teachers and communities across Scotland, including Eastwood, Wishaw and Dumbarton, will benefit from these new schools.

"Today's allocations are just the start of our investment, representing a quarter of the new schools that will be built as part of this programme.

"What's more, we have a vision for the school estate that will ensure we make the most of that investment, by backing it up with focus, ambition and commitment.

"The strategy published today sets out the guiding principles that will help us make the most of our buildings and spaces, grounds, fixtures and facilities."