$8m for Bay of Plenty schools property upgrade

Western Bay of Plenty schools have been given $8 million to improve buildings and property - their biggest cash boost in five years.

Eleven Bay schools will receive the extra money from the Government under a five-year scheme. The cash will become available next month.

Three high schools in the area will receive more than $1 million each under the payouts - their first big cash injection from the Ministry of Education since a $50 million funding boost to Tauranga schools in the late 1990s to meet roll growth.

The money takes into account the state of a school's property and the amount of capital that has been spent at the school in the past.

It allows schools to make long-term plans with maintenance budgets and property projects.