A total of 19 new schools will be built across Scotland by March 2020, impacting more than 6500 pupils, first minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed.

The £230 million investment is part of the final phase of the £1.8 billion ‘Schools for the Future’ programme, funded by the Scottish Government and local councils, taking the overall number of schools being delivered to 112.

Since the Schools for the Future programme began it has created an estimated 11,000 construction jobs and 230 apprenticeships.

Speaking today at Queen Margaret Academy in South Ayrshire, which is set to be replaced using a share of the new funding, the first minister said: “We are working hard to improve educational standards across the country to make sure that every child in Scotland has the ability to achieve their potential.

“Part of that is making sure that children have the right physical environment to learn in. This ambitious plan will replace older schools across the country with new, modern buildings that will bring benefits to the whole community.

“We had planned to build or refurbish 55 schools across Scotland, these new schools now take the total to 112 - more than double our original target. Since 2007, we have worked with local authorities to rebuild or refurbish 607 schools, resulting in the number of children educated in ‘poor’ or ‘bad’ condition schools falling by 60 per cent.

“This infrastructure investment programme has already generated an estimated 11,000 construction jobs and 230 apprenticeship placements. Now as these further developments begin construction we will see a further boost to the economy right across the country.”

Gemma Boggs, schools programme director at Scottish Futures Trust, added: “Today’s announcement builds on the huge progress SFT has made managing the Scotland’s Schools for the Future programme.

“We are working with all local authorities to achieve the very best value for the investment in their new schools which will be of benefit to thousands of pupils across Scotland, whilst also supporting many local SMEs when construction starts.”

The 19 schools to be rebuilt or refurbished are: