New South Wales on target for the Building the Education Revolution

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5 March 2009
New South Wales on target for the Building the Education Revolution
New South Wales is on track to deliver the Rudd Government’s Building the
Education Revolution to NSW schools.
The deadline for states and territories to submit their first round projects for
Primary Schools in the 21st Century funding is 10 April.
Minister for Education and Training Ms Verity Firth today said New South
Wales’ list of schools for this first round would be submitted on 30 March.
New South Wales is ready to start work as soon as first round of projects are
approved,” said Ms Firth.
“We have already placed orders for 162 modular design libraries and are
currently evaluating expressions of interest for managing contractors.
The Department of Education and Training has established a BER Program
Office to assess Principal’s nomination and co-ordinate the delivery of the
project. This office draws together the best of the public and private sectors.
“Priority consideration for this first round of funding is being given to schools of
over 150 students without a school hall and schools with demountable libraries.
“However we will not be finalising any list of projects before consulting with
schools.
“Letters were sent to all 2240 government primary and high schools this week
asking them to identify projects they would like considered for Building the
Education Revolution funding.
“Schools are being asked for their infrastructure nominations by 16 March
following discussions with their school and parent community.
As at 2.30pm today over 900 projects had already been nominated by school
principals.
“Their views will inform the list of projects submitted to the Commonwealth,”
said Ms Firth.
“The State Government will continue with its existing annual school building and
maintenance programs which this financial year totalled $658 million in capital
works and over $230 million in school maintenance.
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“This includes the record $2 billion in our Building Better Schools initiative and
the $150 million set aside in the 2008/09 mini-budget for the Principals’ Priority
Building Program.
“The Rees Government is well on track to deliver this record project which will
provide jobs for the our state’s workers; help to stimulate the economy in these
difficult economic times; and provide an even better teaching and learning
environment for our kids,” said Ms Firth.
Media contact: Lisa Bateman 0437 140 029