South Otago High School principal Nick Simpson's goal of providing his pupils with facilities the equal of those anywhere in New Zealand has been given a boost with funding of $1.9 million from the Government.
The school was one of 10 nationwide to receive funding under the replacement buildings programme, Education Minister Anne Tolley announced yesterday.
Mr Simpson said it meant the school would be able to replace two 50-year-old wooden buildings that no longer met the needs of modern education.
The ministry had acknowledged the cost of refurbishment was similar to the cost of rebuilding, although it had only granted two-thirds of what the school had requested, he said.
However, it would enable the school to build a modern, energy efficient, low maintenance building that met its needs.
"In the long run, it's in the best interests of the taxpayer and the school. We're delighted."
With the school matching the funding from its next five-year property allocation, the project would cost about $2.5 million, he said.
The new building would incorporate flexible spaces to teach technology.
"I want Clutha kids to have as good facilities as anywhere in New Zealand."
The announcement meant he could "start fact-finding" and seek advice from the ministry to get the building project under way.
Ms Tolley said a further 17 schools received funding for modernisation and upgrading existing buildings.
Together, the funding came to $29.8 million
