Financial constraints in school construction

School construction unit costs are predominately determined by school design, construction materials, and contract procurement and management. While costs can vary greatly depending on factors such as location, exchange rate, and taxes, $100/m2 is considered to be an average of low classroom construction unit cost, achieved from utilizing the most cost-efficient methods. Cost efficiency does not equate to poor quality, and while unit costs can be decreased to a certain extent, if a sufficient amount of funds for school construction are not available then other strategies should be pursued. While they can be cost-efficient, schools still need to meet regulatory standards, be accessible, safe, child friendly, have sufficient water and sanitation facilities, and provide a positive learning environment. See more...

Schools may be unavailable due to the lack of budget to cover new school construction costs. Strategies include those that address increasing the budget, improving planning and budgeting mechanisms, as well as alternatives to building new schools such as using existing infrastructure within the community. See more...