Welsh government in the UK has invested GBP 280 million (US$ 352 million) in the ambitious 21st Century Schools and Education Programme (Band B) PPP project. The program aims to modernize and transform the schools in north Wales for wider learning and local activities.

Two schools at Ysgol Pen Barras and Rhos Street in Ruthin have already been opened under the program, the new schools received GBP 8.6 million (US$ 10.80 million) for the construction of Welsh medium and English medium schools. These two schools were part of the first phase of the program, which includes 170 projects across the whole of Wales, 39 of which were situated in North Wales.

Neath Port Talbot Council is set to develop five schools under the project. Works on schools in North Port Talbot are expected to start shortly. Cefn Saeson Comprehensive School works are expected to begin in September 2019. Works on New Abbey Primary School in Neath are expected to begin by the end of this year. Three other schools are still in process and outline business case is submitted.

The newly built and/or improved school campuses will focus on challenging and supporting schools, colleges, and communities in Wales to encourage educational institutes to work alongside local communities and place their new facilities at these communities’ centre.

Some of the schools and colleges in North Wales that have already benefitted from the first phases of the programme include: Ysgol Cybi in Holyhead, Ysgol Awel y Myndd in Llandudno Junction, Ysgol Hafod y Lôn, Penrhyndeudraeth, Ysgol Glancegin in Bangor, Rhyl High school, Holywell Learning Campus, Deeside 6^th in Connah’s Quay, Ysgol O M Edwards in Bala, Ysgol Hafod y Wern in Wrexham, and Coleg Cambria in Wrexham.

The second phase in the government’s programme has been renamed as the 21^st Century Schools and Colleges programme and will receive a further GBP 2.3 billion (US$ 2.89 billion).