Government schools will receive a big slice of the capital projects cash within the coming year.

It is estimated that out of the total $109 million set aside for buildings and infrastructure, more than 30 percent will be absorbed into the education system.

The project to build the new Berkeley Institute secondary school, which got underway last summer, will swallow up about $28 million this year alone.

It is due to be completed by September of 2003 at a total cost of $70 million.

And Finance Minister Eugene Cox said: "Upgrade work on the middle schools, Spice Valley, Dellwood and Clearwater, will continue in 2002-03 with an investment of $5.3 million.

"Government also plans to complete school safety upgrades in primary schools, with an investment of $563,000 in the 2002-03 fiscal year.

"Further investment in educational plant in the forthcoming fiscal year accounts for 40 percent of the capital development budget. Government regards this investment as essential to the continuing delivery of the school curriculum in an effective and efficient manner within a modern and safe school environment."

And the Finance Minister said Government believed education was a priority for the future of Bermuda, and would continue to treat it as so when allotting monies in the Budget.

He added: "The additional resources allocated to key public services in Government's previous Budget were primarily directed to education, health care, public safety and housing.

"Government's commitment to improving the standard of public education has been paramount in our public policy considerations.

"The additional resources devoted to education during our first term have contributed to a marked improvement in learning and attendance."