Schools to get infrastructure boost

Work on thousands of school improvement projects could start within weeks as the
federal government begins handing over nearly $830 million in stimulus funding to
the states and territories.
Almost 6,000 government and non-government schools have won funding - from between
$50,000 and $200,000 each - in the first round of the $1.3 billion National School
Pride Program.
Included in the initial round is one of the nation's most exclusive schools -
Sydney's King's School - which will receive $200,000 to construct outdoor sporting
facilities and student amenities.
Melbourne Grammar School will use its $200,000 for a "sustainable building comfort
project".
There was also money for some of the nation's smallest schools: Mutdapilly State
School, southwest of Brisbane, with just 50 students and three teachers, will create
a community learning garden and refurbish four classrooms.
Elsewhere funding will go towards such projects as improving playing fields,
upgrading canteens, refurbishing classrooms and constructing outdoor shaded areas.
"These projects will create demand for tradespeople in thousands of communities
across Australia," Education and Employment Minister Julia Gillard said in
announcing the successful 8,663 projects that would be receiving a share of $828.7
million.
South Australia, which won approval for all 486 projects it submitted for the first
round of funding, has vowed to complete its program by the end of the year.
"The cash injection will allow hundreds of school improvement projects to be started
before June," SA Education Minister Jane Lomax-Smith said.
Both sides of Queensland politics welcomed the $195.3 million allocated to 1,359 of
the state's schools.
"Schools will now get on with the job of rolling out these projects, creating jobs
for Queenslanders," Education Minister Geoff Wilson said.
The coalition, while happy to see schools receive funding, cautioned the state Labor
government not to use the federal funding as an excuse to reduce its own maintenance
budget.
"Teachers are frustrated, parents are frustrated and students are frustrated at
major maintenance issues that have not been addressed," Opposition Leader John-Paul
Langbroek said.
NSW says the $277.5 million it won for 2,005 schools in the first round will create
about 1,000 jobs.
Education Minister Verity Firth says maintenance work might not be "particularly
glamorous" but it was important to the everyday life in schools.
Funding will begin to flow as agreements are signed by each state and territory
government.
Applications for round two close on May 8 this year.
A list of successful schools is available at www.buildingtheeducationrevolution.gov.au.