Schools and colleges across Wales will benefit from an additional £20 million in funding this year to support essential capital repairs and maintenance, the Welsh Government has announced.
The funding, part of the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, will cover large-scale works such as roof replacements, window systems, heating and ventilation upgrades, and electrical improvements.
This brings the total allocation for capital maintenance in 2025–2026 to £50 million, ensuring learning environments remain safe, modern and fit for purpose.
The Welsh Government’s overall investment through the programme for 2025–2026 now stands at £391 million – the highest annual figure since the initiative began in 2014.
In addition to improving infrastructure, the programme supports Wales’s climate goals, requiring all funded works to help reduce energy use and carbon emissions. Upgrades will include better insulation, energy-efficient windows and efficient heating systems, creating sustainable learning spaces that are cheaper to run and better for the environment.
Lynne Neagle, Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Education, commented:
“Maintaining our schools and colleges in good condition is essential for providing the best learning environments for our young people. Since 2018, we have invested £314 million in maintenance for schools and colleges across Wales.
“This additional £20 million will help local authorities and colleges address maintenance needs and demonstrates our continued commitment to ensuring our education estate is fit for purpose whilst driving forward targets for a net zero carbon Education Estate in Wales.”
Over the past decade, the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme has rebuilt or refurbished 20% of Wales’s school estate, demonstrating its long-term commitment to improving education facilities.
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