Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall said the 18-month long works program, had been undertaken by a NSW Government funded $200 million maintenance campaign.

“Our students deserve to learn in comfortable and well maintained facilities and this extensive works program is working to ensure our schools are of a high quality,” Mr Marshall said.

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“From minor repainting to major roofing replacements, each improvement boosts student pride and helps the school focus on providing the best education possible.”

Armidale High School saw its maintenance backlog slashed by more than $1 million dollars while Duval High School dropped from $1,226,026 in necessary works to $271,298.

Outside of the city, Uralla Central School saw a reduction of more than $400,000 from $597,554 to $191,282 while Guyra Central School moved from $204,345 to $196,491.

“These substantial backlog reductions are just some of the 43 schools that have seen a reduced maintenance backlog in the Northern Tablelands since June 2016,” Mr Marshall said.

“With another $100 million allocated in last year’s budget, schools across the region will continue to see these backlog issues resolved over the coming months.

“This is in addition to the $1.2 million upgrade of Glen Innes High School, which will eliminate the backlog there, and the new $65 million future school for Armidale.

“This maintenance is as important as building new schools and the government is committed to addressing these long-term challenges, not putting off repairs year after year.”

The NSW Department of Education will this week release its latest audit showing its planned maintenance liability has been reduced from a projected $775 million at June 2016 to $570 million by the end of 2017.