35% BOOST TO STATE SCHOOL CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME
10 May 2005 MINBUD 22/05
State schools will receive an estimated $441.7
million in funding to improve school buildings in 2005-06, a record
35.1 % increase on the previous year’s funding.
The significant increase is largely due to the
rollout of the Howard Government’s $1 billion Investing in Our
Schools programme. $163.3 million will be provided from the
programme in 2005-06 to fund state school capital projects that
school communities have identified.
The Investing in Our Schools funding – a key
election commitment – is in addition to the estimated $278.4 million
in capital funding that will continue to be provided to state and
territory governments in 2005-06 to support the larger scale school
building programmes that they manage.
Under the Investing in Our Schools programme,
state school parent organisations in conjunction with their school
principal, will determine their priority projects and apply directly
to the Australian Government for funding.
The first grants will be delivered in mid 2005.
Catholic and Independent schools are also
beneficiaries in this year’s Budget.
In 2005-06, they will receive an estimated $193.9
million in capital funding. This funding consists of an estimated
$113.9 million provided through the Capital Grants programme, plus
an additional injection of $80 million in 2005-06 from the Investing
in Our Schools programme.
Catholic and Independent schools can apply for this
funding through the Block Grant Authorities in each State and
Territory.
These commitments to school capital are the largest
in Australia’s history and represent the continued commitment of the
Howard Government to schooling in Australia.
State school communities can now apply online or
obtain a copy of the application form and programme guidelines from:
http://www.dest.gov.au/schools/investinginschools/
Media Contacts:
Dr Nelson’s Office: Yaron Finkelstein 0414 927 663
Dept of Education, Science & Training: Virginia Cook 0412 971 323
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