Page 1715 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 3 May 2011
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Education and Training
This Budget continues the Government’s commitment to invest in education, to ensure better outcomes for students in public education in the ACT. We are continuing to invest in our teachers and our students to ensure we continue to deliver the highest standards in education and training.
We recognise the pressure placed on our schools and tertiary institutions to deliver these outcomes for our young people and those undertaking further education and training. We continue to believe that educational success is the key to a productive and fulfilling life, a thriving economy and a competitive Canberra.
Helping to meet the growing expectations we have of our teachers, with responsibility for helping students achieve educational success, this Budget will invest over $11.8 million to implement educational reform and provide enhanced career paths for teachers.
We all recognise that students with disabilities need to be given extra support to achieve educational success. An additional $20.0 million over four years is provided for educational programs for students with disabilities to give them similar opportunities to others.
This Budget allocates around $147 million to build new schools and to improve existing facilities.
A new early childhood school will be constructed at Franklin, along with a new primary school at Bonner. Majura and Macgregor Primary Schools are being expanded, with other school facilities upgraded. Further work is being undertaken at Namadgi P-10 School, Gungahlin College and Harrison Secondary School.
A new pedestrian bridge will provide safe access for students crossing Drakeford Drive to attend the new Namadgi P-10 School at Kambah.
Funding of $1.6 million over four years is provided to increase accountability for primary school business managers.
Secondary schools will see funding of $800,000 provided to implement improved approaches to learning and teaching and new pathways for students. Student engagement often declines in these years.
Funding of almost $15 million is provided for school building and facility improvements, along with $6.2 million to upgrade preschools to meet national quality standards.
Quality school facilities need to be complemented by up to date technology. This Budget allocates $4.4 million for Information and Communications Technology in public schools.
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