Statistics published today show that a total of 303 schools have been substantially rebuilt or refurbished since April 2007, exceeding the Scottish Government's target of 250.

The figures also show that 82 per cent of Scottish school children are now being taught in good quality buildings, up from 61 per cent over the same period.

More than half the schools - 170 in total - have been delivered through traditional capital funding or Non-Profit Distributing (NPD) schemes.

Education Secretary Michael Russell said: "Today's statistics are excellent news for Scottish school pupils. With 303 school projects completed in three years, we have far exceeded our commitment to match, brick for brick, the 250 schools which the previous administration pledged to rebuild or refurbish.

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"What's more, 170 of these 303 schools - more than half - have been delivered through traditional capital funding and not-for-profit schemes, not the discredited, expensive PFI scheme.

"As a result, we now have 82 per cent of our school pupils in buildings rated as good or satisfactory, an increase of over 120,000 pupils in the last three years and a significant jump towards our 90 per cent target.

"The number of pupils being taught in buildings in the worst condition has dramatically decreased to one per cent. I am determined to see further reductions and we will continue work with local authorities to deliver high quality school facilities across Scotland."

Scotland's school estate is continuing to improve with only one per cent of pupils now in schools in the worst condition category and 82 per cent of pupils now in schools in good or satisfactory condition.

(GK/KMcA)