Diben y Rhaglen Ysgolion ar gyfer yr 21ain Ganrif yw ein symud ymlaen y tu hwnt i’r dull trosiannol o weithredu sy’n seiliedig ar brosiectau. Mae’n fwy na rhaglen o fuddsoddiadau cyfalaf yn unig. Mae’n fynegiant o gynlluniau tymor canolig a hirdymor yr Awdurdodau ac eraill ar gyfer cyflawni addysg ym mhob maes ac mewn partneriaeth gyda’i gilydd, awdurdodau esgobaethol, a darparwyr ôl-16.  Bu’r Rhaglenni Amlinellol Strategol a baratowyd gan yr Awdurdodau yn allweddol i ddull o weithredu sydd wedi’i gynllunio.  Mae hwn yn ymrwymiad mawr i Lywodraeth Cymru ac mae Bwrdd y Rhaglen wedi croesawu datblygiad y dull o weithredu tryloyw hwn sydd wedi’i gynllunio.
The 21st Century Schools Programme is intended to move us forward beyond the transitional project-based approach.  It is more than a programme of capital investment. It is the expression by authorities and others of their medium and long term strategic planning for the delivery of education in each area and in partnership with each other, diocesan authorities and post-16 providers. Key to this planned approach has been the development by Authorities of their Strategic Outline Programmes (SOPs). That is a major undertaking for the Welsh Government and the Programme Board have welcomed the development of this more transparent and planned approach.