Swansea is to pour hundreds of thousands of pounds into its crumbling schools in a bid to keep them open.The council has identified 12 schools in urgent need of investment to reduce the risk of closure.
The cash will reduce the risk of further deterioration due to problems such as ageing heating and electrical equipment.New heating and electrical systems are planned along with repairs to leaking roofs and windows.
A total of £850,000 will be splashed out on the dozen schools.But education bosses have accepted that a bigger problem remains.
All of Swansea's 109 schools have undergone a condition survey to give the council a clear picture of how big a problem it faces.
In 2005 a report to council revealed that a massive £50 million in repairs was needed to bring the schools up to scratch.
A survey of Bishop Gore comprehensive in Sketty found a long list of problems.
Councillor Mike Day, the cabinet member for education, has admitted that the council needs to come up with a long term solution to address Swansea's deteriorating schools.
He said: "This winter we have had problems with leaking roofs and windows.
"We also know that many heating and electrical systems are close to the end of their natural life and need replacing.
"This extra funding, along with our annual capital maintenance programme, will tackle urgent areas, but we need a major rethink to address the full scale of the challenge.
"Parents, governors, pupils and staff have already told us during the wide-ranging school organisation consultation that they have concerns over the condition of schools and the facilities available to children.
"This is a Wales-wide problem, but we are committed to working alongside head teachers and agreeing a way forward for schools in the city and county."
Councillor Day said that the council was committed to improving the city's schools and that the £850,000 was on top of £2 million earmarked for school maintenance for the coming financial year.
He said: "We are committed to providing the best possible schools for our children, but many of our school buildings are ageing and deteriorating quite quickly.
"We are making this extra investment to target the most urgent issues in our schools.
"This will help reduce the risk of schools having to close due to maintenance problems.
"This is a significant investment from the council which will address some of the concerns of head teachers, governors, parents and pupils."
