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Media Release
MORE FLEXIBLE ARRANGEMENTS FOR CATHOLIC AND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL CAPITAL FUNDING
8 June 2005 MIN 1125/05
Catholic and Independent schools will be able to access funding for smaller capital works projects as part of the Australian Government’s commitment to assisting schools with their refurbishment and building programmes.
Over the 2005-8 funding period, an estimated $736 million in capital funding will be provided for less well-off Catholic and Independent schools. This includes an additional $300 million from the Investing in our Schools Programme, as promised during the 2004 Federal election campaign.
This investment represents a 97% increase over the previous four year funding period in capital funding to Catholic and Independent schools.
From 2006, the Australian Government will specifically allocate $100 million, of the additional $300 million, to small projects of less than $75,000 in value.
Examples of smaller projects that may be funded include classroom and library upgrades, playground equipment, shade structures and sporting and musical equipment.
The Block Grant Authorities (BGAs), which are comprised of representatives of the Catholic and Independent school authorities, will continue to administer the entire capital programme, including the funding pool allocated to small projects. Prioritisation of projects will continue to be based on need.
I am also announcing the Terms of Reference for a periodic review of the BGAs, which was foreshadowed last November.
Among other things, the review will examine the extent of parental involvement in the allocation process and examine the operations of BGAs to further strengthen accountability measures and transparency.
My Department is currently tendering for a consultant to conduct the review, which will be completed in the second half of this year. The tender process is expected to be completed within four weeks.
The Howard Government’s capital works package will also provide more than $1.8 billion over the next four years to assist state and territory governments build, upgrade and refurbish public schools throughout Australia, including $700 million in grants paid directly to state school communities, parent bodies and principals.
The terms of reference are attached.
Media Contacts:
Dr Nelson’s Office: Yaron Finkelstein 0414 927 663
Dept of Education, Science & Training: Sally Harris 02 6240 8363
REVIEW OF BLOCK GRANT AUTHORITIES
Terms of Reference
1. To examine the structure and decision making processes of BGAs to further enhance good governance and accountability.
2. To evaluate BGA processes and procedures with a view to identifying best practice and extending this best practice to all BGAs, particularly with regards to further strengthening accountability and transparency.
3. To examine ways in which school communities and parents have input into the consideration and prioritisation of capital projects.
4. To examine procedures used by BGAs to determine the most needy schools for capital funding.
5. To evaluate operations of the BGAs in relation to the administration of the additional $300 million, particularly the $100 million set aside for smaller projects for the 2005-08 quadrennium.
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