Three schools in Dumfries and Galloway will be rebuilt or refurbished by 2018 following a £21 million investment by the Scottish Government.

Education secretary Angela Constance made the announcement during a visit to Dumfries for a cabinet meeting.

Dalbeattie High School and Maxwelltown High School will both be replaced by new buildings while St Joseph’s College will be refurbished.

St Michael’s Primary School has received three ‘excellent’ ratings in a recent Education Scotland inspection.

Ms Constance said: “The Scottish Government places a huge emphasis on high quality learning and I’m delighted to see St Michael’s is achieving this to such an exceptional standard.

“Our £1.8 billion Scotland’s Schools for the Future programme will also contribute to this aim by ensuring pupils are taught in high quality, well designed, sustainable schools.

“Every local authority in Scotland has received funding to improve their school estate and I’m pleased that thousands of pupils in Dumfries and Galloway will benefit from the three projects to improve Dalbeattie High School, Maxwelltown High School and St Joseph’s College.

“The new facilities being built here will be fantastic environments for young people to learn in and will also provide amenities for the wider community to enjoy. I look forward to visiting the new schools when they’re finished, the first of which will be opening to pupils next autumn.

“In addition to the educational benefits, the projects will also create construction jobs and apprenticeship opportunities for young people in Dumfries and Galloway.”