$2.3 billion of new facilities for NSW primary schools

10 June 2009

Premier Nathan Rees today welcomed the Rudd’s Government’s $2.3 billion second round of investment under the Primary Schools for the 21st Century program.

The Premier was joined today by Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Minister for Education and Training Verity Firth during a visit to Eastwood Public School, which will benefit from $3 million of new classrooms.

“Eastwood Public school is one of the 1,354 NSW primary schools that will benefit from new and upgraded classrooms, libraries and halls,” said Mr Rees.

“Under the Federal Government’s $14.7 billion national education programs, every school in NSW will receive funding for new and upgraded facilities to give students the best possible start in life.

“NSW Government schools will receive more than 70 percent of the latest funding which will see over $1.6 billion invested in our public schools.

“Supporting, creating and protecting jobs is also the highest priority for us.

“Builders, tradespeople and building subcontractors will all benefit from the latest injection which directly supports the NSW economy.

“Commonwealth and state infrastructure budgets are focused on supporting jobs and the education stimulus package will create and support almost 9,000 local jobs and 820 apprenticeships.

“The NSW Government’s current $2 billion Building Better Schools program is already delivering new science labs, security fences, halls and gymnasiums for students across NSW.

“Working in partnership with the Commonwealth Government, we are undertaking the largest school infrastructure program ever seen in this state,” said Mr Rees.

Minister for Education and Training Verity Firth said Round One of the program was already well underway.

“The first stimulus injection of $386 million is firmly on track to deliver modern learning facilities in 254 public schools.

“More than 300 of these major projects are already in the planning stage, with construction due to start shortly,” said Ms Firth.