HUW LEWIS visited the site of a new school in Torfaen, which is part of the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools programme.

The education and skills minister participated in the sod cutting ceremony, which marks the start of work at the Blenheim Road, Llantarnam Community and Ysgol Panteg primary schools.

The primaries are planned for the start of the 2016/2017 academic year and Mr Lewis believes the new builds will revolutionise Welsh education standards.

He said: “These new schools which are to be built around Wales will be state-of-the-art and are the best which we can possibly aspire to.

“These young people will learn in ways that my generation will have never been exposed to. We need to make sure that they have every advantage.”

The 21st Century Schools programme was first announced in December 2011, when the then-education minister Leighton Andrews outlined the £1.4billion proposal.

The cost of the development is split between the Welsh Government and the local authority, with the overall investment in Torfaen totalling £280million over a five-year period between 2014-2019.

Mr Lewis outlined his pride at the Government being able to cover half of the costs even with the tight budget available at present.

“I am delighted, that despite the challenging financial climate, we have been able to invest over £10m of Welsh Government money to ensure the very best learning environments for local pupils,” he said.

Mr Lewis moved to allay fears about the dangers of schools closing and the nervousness over any detrimental effects to educational standards.

He said: “Many people are understandably very attached to their school and their community.

“I have seen across Wales in community after community that there is nervousness concerning changes of this size afoot.”

Mr Lewis added that the schools will be among the best in world terms and people will see that any nervousness over possible closures will have been misplaced.

Torfaen’s Executive Member for Education, cllr David Yeowell said on the plans: “The new primary schools will create inclusive settings which meet the individual learning needs of all pupils.

“Torfaen council is committed to providing children with safe, inspiring learning environments which are appropriate for educational development.”