17 new and upgraded schools will open their doors when the school year starts next week.

The eight new campuses include ones at Bella Vista and North Kellyville in Sydney’s north-west and at Ballina on the state’s far north coast.

State Education Minister Rob Stokes tells Steve Price another more than a hundred more are on their way.

“We’ve got another 73 currently under construction and another 40 that will enter into construction, this year alone.

“This is supporting about 40,000 jobs and, just the classrooms that are opening next week, that’s more than 400 additional permanent classrooms.

“They’ll all be fully airconditioned and they provide spaces for about 9000 kids.”

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Image: Artist’s impression of the new Inner Sydney High School