 |
Media Release
$1 BILLION CAPITAL FUNDING BOOST FOR SCHOOLS
25 November, 2004 MIN 1011/04
The Australian Government has moved to further implement its election promise to provide an additional $1 billion for school building projects in Australian schools.
State schools will receive $700 million as part of the programme to be administered by the Australian Government with grants being paid directly to school communities. This will provide more power and autonomy for school parent communities and school principals in determining the priorities for their schools.
Yesterday I wrote to the peak principal and parent organisations of each state and territory to invite them to formally advise the government on developing guidelines to deliver these grants in the most efficient way possible.
Legislation was introduced into the Parliament last week as part of the Howard Government’s $33 billion schools funding package.
Early in the new school year, I will be writing to all state schools and parent bodies to advise them of the programme and application procedures, with the first tranche of grants to be delivered to schools by mid 2005.
As part of this initiative, $300 million will also be provided to non-government schools through the Block Grant Authorities (BGAs), which comprise representatives of Catholic and Independent schools. Early next year, the Government will also conduct a periodic review of the operations of the BGAs to further strengthen accountability measures, transparency and to ensure that parents have appropriate input into the selection process.
This $1 billion commitment is in addition to $1.5 billion already allocated by the Howard Government for school capital works over the next four years.
Media Contacts:
Dr Nelson’s Office: Yaron Finkelstein 0414 927 663
Dept of Education, Science & Training: Laila Lacis 0412 040 034
|
