The education of children in Kinross and Perth will benefit “for decades to come” thanks to funding for two new schools, parents have said.
After months of campaigning the news came last month that Perth and Kinross Council had been successful in securing additional funding.
It ended once and for all concerns that Kinross and Tulloch would be forced into an unseemly and unwanted competition to secure money from the previously limited pot.
The two schools have been assessed as “life expired” by the local authority and are in urgent need of replacement.
The condition of each has been deteriorating for years despite expensive repairs and they are also struggling to cope with the sheer number of pupils.
Now the council hopes to see their replacements in place and filled with pupils by 2017 and Kinross Primary Parent Council chairman Jonathan Bryson believes that will benefit both school families immeasurably.
“The Kinross community is delighted with the news that the Scottish Government is providing funding to allow Kinross Primary school to be rebuilt,” he said.
“In the current financial environment it is fantastic that funding has been found to rebuild Tulloch Primary school too, meaning that children in both communities will be educated in amongst the best facilities in Scotland.”
He added: “We would like to thank all those with ties to Kinross-shire who helped make the case for new buildings, including all the Kinross-shire councillors and some local MSPs.
“We are aware that Perthshire councillors including those on the school estates committee were busy making the case for both schools with Government and we thank them for their efforts.
“Finally, we thank council staff who worked hard to make the case for funding with Government and realised such a fantastic outcome.
“It will benefit the children of Kinross and Tulloch for decades to come.”
The new Kinross primary will take shape adjacent to the existing school, enabling it to continue schooling local youngsters during construction.
The existing school will then be demolished as the new school becomes operational, making way for pitches and parking.