Mt Cook School gets $644,000 for new buildings

4 December 2007

Wellington's Mt Cook School is getting $644,000 in government funding for new buildings under the School Property Guide Deficiencies Programme.

Labour MP Charles Chauvel says, "Mt Cook School is being offered the funding to address lack of space in buildings – this often happens when the current property hasn't caught up due to roll increases over time.”

"The funding for more building floor space can be combined with property budgets they already have, such as the five-year programme budget for upgrading existing buildings.”

The school property guide programme has been operating under the Labour-led government since 2000 and has so far helped about 500 schools across the country.

Making the national announcement for the funding, Education Minister Chris Carter said the ministry uses a ranking system to ensure that schools with the greatest needs have their deficiencies addressed first, regardless of school type.

"Figures are reworked annually as individual school rolls change and other property is added to the portfolio," said Chris Carter.

"In the past, schools have used money from this programme on administration building upgrades, new halls, and expanding classroom space. Separate programmes exist for the provision of classrooms and gyms due to roll-growth.

ENDS

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