First Minister, Rhodri Morgan, will be in Pembrokeshire today (Friday) to officially open two new primary schools.

He will be in Narberth at midday to open the town's 300-pupil school in Jesse Road, before visiting the new £5.8 million Prendergast School in Haverfordwest.

The First Minister said: "It's a real double delight to be in Pembrokeshire to open these two wonderful new school buildings, costing around £10 million and which have been designed and built to the highest environmental and security standards.

"Pembrokeshire is setting a good example in how it is getting to grips with the problem of surplus school places and the Welsh Assembly Government is happy to support this with funding for new and functional buildings, ideal for taking forward primary education in the 21st century."

The two schools are the latest in a long line of new buildings and improvements to the education infrastructure in the county.

Since its inception in 1996, Pembrokeshire County Council has allocated over £100 million to such projects.

Said the authority's leader, Clr. John Davies: "Our commitment to education is reflected in our capital and revenue investment in schools buildings.

"School buildings have a crucial part to play in helping to raise educational standards. High quality, modern school buildings with the latest, integrated ICT systems can help to raise attainment and can make a major contribution to improving educational opportunities and broadening community access to schools.

"In recognition of this, we are investing heavily in new schools and in works to improve existing schools.

"We are currently one of the highest spenders in Wales and have already opened several new schools - including the two which the First Minister has graciously agreed to officially open."

Narberth CP School opened to pupils in July at a cost of over £4 million, replacing a 130-year-old Victorian building on a different site. It has 10 classrooms and, for the first time, an Early Years Unit.

There is also a hall, an IT resource/library room and design technology room, while outdoor features include a football pitch, netball court, vegetable garden and recycling/compost area, and an educational nature area with a wildlife pond.

The new 440-pupil Prendergast School replaces the former infant and junior schools.

The school is designed around three elements, an administration block which houses the hall and the early years and reception classes, and two main teaching wings. 

Both facilities were funded by Pembrokeshire County Council and the Welsh Assembly Government. The main contractor for Narberth School was W. B. Griffiths, of Haverfordwest, while for Prendergast it was Cotton Limited, of Trefin.