Merritt Secondary School students will breathe a little easier next year, after the school installs brand new dust collection system in its shop classrooms.

The dust system, along with a roof repair, will be paid for through the province’s School Enhancement Program.

Merritt Secondary School is set to receive $410,000 in provincial cash to fund the upgrades.

“The roofing projects will begin over the summer months and the dust collection system is an upgrade on the previous system that is dated,” explained Kevin Black, secretary treasurer for School District 58. “It will provide the latest technology in regards to the air quality for our shops.”

The province is funding 176 separate upgrades at schools across the province, to the tune of $198 million.