A £65 million package of improvements for Kirklees schools has been given the go-ahead.

The plan, approved by the Government under its Private Finance Initiative, means 20 schools will get an initial £43 million investment in repairs, refurbishment and improvements.

A long-term £22 million-plus maintenance programme will then back up this investment.

The programme will affect 13,000 pupils - some 20 per cent of the total school population in Kirklees.

Kirklees Council and the Education Service Management Board have approved Jarvis plc to carry out the work alongside the Council's normal investment in repairs.

Council leader Councillor Gary Dimmock said: "What this programme will mean is that schools most badly in need of repairs and refurbishment will be transformed.

"It will also free up teachers to concentrate on what they do best and what they are employed to do.

"That is teaching in the classroom, rather than having to get involved in the management of buildings and associated matters that take them out of the classroom."

He said that under the plans school buildings and grounds will stay in the ownership of the Council and the provision of education in the classroom will remain the responsibility of the governing bodies and the Council.

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