Katherine High School is one of 190 Territory schools provided with $300,000 under the $8.1 million Building Better Schools Infrastructure Program.

School leadership have directed this support into improving the library space, and Year 12 students are leading the way in identifying what the space must provide when completed.

At the top of this list is separate areas for group and individual study.

"The library has to have sectioned learning areas for group and individual study, as well as an area for Year 12's only.

"We really need a space where we can just focus without any distractions if we're going to do well.

"Even if we won't be around to see it we want to make sure that's here for future students.

"We used to have a space but it was reallocated and we miss having that option to study, so that's the top priority for us," she said.

Principal Sharon Oldfield said the project had been in the works for a long time as part of the school's 'Master Plan' to overhaul outdated or insufficient infrastructure.

The consultation phase with students is now currently taking place, then engineers will be brought in to bring their requirements to fruition.

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"The Year 12's in particular have shown that they're really invested in this space and what it could look like," she said.

"We're currently working with the student representatives to detail their priorities for how the space might function.

"We're looking for them to clarify their ideas into succinct goals for the space to achieve.

"At which point the engineer will come in and work to those requirements to bring the planning to fruition.

"We would also like for the space to be functional in terms of housing social services and the sick-bay," principal Oldfield said.

Minister for Education and Member for Arnhem Selena Uibo was also on-hand to tour the library and hear about the project.

She denied the idea Katherine High School had lagged behind in public investment for infrastructure under Labor, and expressed excitement to see upgrades beginning.

"These $300,000 payments are being provided at all schools irrespective of if they're public or private," she said.

"We're inviting schools to identify themselves how that money can best benefit them and their students.

"In this way we are transparently and equally improving what we have in the Territory schooling system.

"We're not interested in only prioritising schools in Darwin because it's the easy option, for me as Minister for Education we have to ensure we've been fair.

"We've got 145 schools who have already started their works under the Building Better Schools Infrastructure Program and the remaining 45 will start in this financial year.

"That's incredibly exciting to see as the Minister for Education," Ms Uibo said.

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