Page 1419 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 5 June 2007
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Mr Speaker, that is another $122.3 million in new capital funding for government schools, another vote of confidence in public education, another investment in government school students and their teachers.
Between July 2006 and 2010-11 Labor will invest more than $350 million in our public schools, giving every government school student access to the kind of quality learning environments that have been shown to have a positive impact on performance.
The transformation of our public schools has already begun. At Chapman and Aranda primary schools, at Stromlo, Calwell and Belconnen high schools, at Cranleigh special school and Telopea Park school, students and teachers are already enjoying the benefits of this historic capital investment.
Over the next four years every ACT public school will benefit from Labor’s investment in facilities. Science and computer labs and kitchens are being upgraded. Grounds and sports areas are being enhanced. Student amenities are being improved. Internal and external refurbishments are sending the message that public schools are places of which students and teachers can rightly feel proud, places where students want to come to learn, places teachers look forward to fronting up to each day.
Not only are our schools being rejuvenated and renewed. They are also being made environmentally efficient. New schools will incorporate features such as solar passive design, water tanks and solar heating. The next generation of Canberrans will be absorbing messages about sustainability by seeing it in action, on their ovals, in their classrooms, even in their washrooms.
Our $20 million investment in information and communications technology will ensure that every government school student leaves school with that extra dimension we have come to think of as technological literacy. The smart schools, smart students project will give every student in every government school access to a fast, reliable and stable internet connection. Whole families will benefit. Parents will be able to access detailed information about their child’s learning program and their results, online.
Mr Speaker, Canberra’s public schools have always been exceptional, keeping faith with the belief that every child, whatever their prospects, whatever their circumstances, whatever their challenges, deserves the opportunity to reach his or her potential.
The investments the government began to make in last year’s budget, and which are continued today, restate that commitment.
The challenges of climate change and water security
Mr Speaker, climate change is perhaps the single biggest challenge to confront humanity. Already, its effects have permanently altered our rainfall patterns, with potentially grave implications for our water security. The implications are equally profound in a host of other areas. The increased risk of megafires and monster storms
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