NEGLECTED educational buildings throughout the area could finally be renovated following the Welsh Government's announcement that Monmouthshire has been successful in its bid for £79.5 million to improve its schools.

The Welsh Government will provide £39.75 million of funding, which Monmouthshire County Council will match to provide a total of almost £80 million to invest in improving the county's schools by 2021.

The funding will facilitate much-needed improvements to the secondary school buildings at King Henry VIII School and boost the educational facilities at Ysgol Gymraeg Y Fenni, Raglan Primary School, Llanfair Kilgeddin Primary School, Llanvihangel Crucorney Primary School and Goytre Primary School as part of the 21st Century learning initiative. 

Work will begin shortly to develop the detailed plans required, which will complement and promote the concept of learning communities to support learners aged 11-18 years and beyond.

Monmouthshire's cabinet member for education Councillor Liz Hacket Pain said: "This is certainly one of the most exciting days in the history of education in Monmouthshire. The funding we receive from the Welsh Government over the coming years will provide a learning infrastructure within our schools, especially our secondary schools, enabling our children and young people to truly experience 21st century learning."

The funding will assist the authority in achieving its ambitions to provide 21st century learning environments for the children and young people of Monmouthshire using the best available teaching methodology and the latest technology.

County Councillor Andrew Crump, the member for Raglan said that any funding obtained from the Welsh Government was a bonus and added: "I have been asking around to see how the breakdown in funding applies to Raglan Primary School, but I have not achieved a firm answer.

"We were promised so much before - a brand new school on an adjacent site - but now it seems that the current building, which also serves as a community centre, will only be redeveloped.

"Currently the education being carried out in the school is some of the best to be found in the county, yet pupils are having to put up with a building that has long past its best.

"I hope that when the authority submits their detailed applications to the Welsh Government that the situation in Raglan is looked upon favourably."

Education Minister, Leighton Andrews said in his announcement the Government would be investing almost £1.4 billion in Welsh schools.

"The funding will help us to drive up standards across our schools and meet the changing needs of learners. We will now work together with our partners in local government to take this programme forwards and deliver the first wave of a long-term programme of investment."

Monmouthshire County Council leader Peter Fox said: "Despite the very difficult funding situation, the joint approach to developing this programme has paid off. Local authorities have prioritised vitally important school building projects in their areas and the funding announced today by the Minister will enable them to deliver on these priorities.

"The 21st Century Schools Programme is a joint investment on the part of the Welsh Government and local government, with both parties providing 50 percent of the funding. 

"It will enable authorities to create modern learning environments which are an essential part of raising standards and improving outcomes for children and young people."