Education minister promises new infrastructure by first day of school
Hilde Crevits has announced that 55 new school buildings will be constructed by the end of 2016, bringing the year’s total to 111
‘Stepping up a gear’
The construction will create 214,527m² in additional school space at a cost of almost €440 million, and will bring the total number of new buildings this year to 111, an average rate of about two per week. “We are stepping up a gear with the renovation of school infrastructure,” she said.
Thanks to the reduction of VAT on school construction, the Flemish government can invest an additional €160 million, enough to fund 17 projects. The EU has also approved a government initiative to invest another €200 million in building projects for schools with the private sector.
Capacity is also being increased. This month, Crevits announced a budget of €150 million to create 13,000 additional school places in Flanders and Brussels over the next three years. The money will be allocated to 126 projects in 15 municipalities.
“Never before have we invested so much in school construction,” said Crevits. “This is important because we have many outdated school buildings, while our population is growing.”
Photo courtesy Basisschool Neerpelt-Centrum
