Education Minister Hekia Parata in the Bay

Education Minister Hekia Parata has arrived in the Bay this morning.

The Minister will be visiting Golden Sands Primary and Papamoa College.

The Government confirmed earlier this year Papamoa College would receive $5.1 million and Papamoa's Golden Sands School $3 million for "significant expansions".

The money would come from the remaining proceeds of the Government's share offer programme, channelled through the Future Investment Fund, and would be spread over four years.

Papamoa College principal Steve Lindsey told the Bay of Plenty Times the funding was surprising but "fantastic".

"This is something which has always been on the table but what has happened is it has probably come a little sooner than anticipated," Mr Lindsey said.