Sixteen new public primary schools and three new public secondary schools will open in the next four years as part of the State Government’s billion-dollar investment in education infrastructure.

Education Minister Peter Collier said the new and improved schools would support Western Australia’s rapidly growing population.

“We have a record 283,000 students in public schools this year and are forecasting increases of about three per cent a year for the next few years,” Mr Collier said.

Construction is on track for schools that will open next year at Golden Bay, North Broome, Baldivis (Smirk Road) and Lakelands.

Stage 1 of a new $40million secondary school in Banksia Grove will also open in 2015, a new $61million secondary school in Harrisdale will open in 2017 and the $54million first stage of Ellenbrook North secondary school will be completed in 2018.

Four new primary schools will open in 2016 at Ellenbrook (Annie’s Landing), Harrisdale, Baldivis (Rivergums) and Alkimos (Trinity) at an estimated total cost of $56million.

In 2017 new primary schools will also open in East Landsdale, Caversham, Baldivis (Kerosene Lane) and Alkimos (South West) and will cost $56million.

Four more as yet unnamed primary schools are expected to be built by the end of 2018.

The State Government’s Royalties for Regions program is also providing $45million for the redevelopment of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Community High School, which is due for completion in 2017.

A milestone will be reached next financial year when $19.5million is spent to complete the Government’s air-cooling program, meaning every public school in the State will be air-conditioned.

The 29 building projects to accommodate year 7 students at secondary schools are well under way, with all buildings due for completion at the start of the 2015 school year, at a cost of $229million.

Stages 1 and 2 of the redevelopment of Willetton Senior High School will continue at a total cost of $43million.

The State Government is also delivering on its $22million Budget priority to build Child and Parent Centres at 16 schools over the next two years, with the first new buildings due to open this year.