| CBI: BSF is improving |
| Thursday, 18 June 2009 | |
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The government's Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme is improving after a shaky start and is beginning to have a positive impact on pupils, according to a new report published today by the CBI.
The business group says faith should be kept with the programme, and its educational agenda maintained in the face of recessionary pressures to cut costs and deliver new schools quickly. The report says that where new BSF schools have been built, early indications are that they are helping improve results and having a positive impact on pupil behaviour, staff morale and environmental sustainability. The latest figures show 86 schools have been built or refurbished under the programme, although concerns remain about the costs and time involved in getting projects started. The National Audit Office estimates total set-up costs for a local education partnership (LEP) - the procurement vehicles for BSF schools - are £9-10m. It says this could be reduced by around a third if Partnerships for Schools' 30-month procurement guideline were adhered to. |