Building a modern education system through infrastructure investment
The Australian Government has committed funding of $14.7 billion over three years to provide new facilities and refurbishments in Australian schools to meet the needs of 21st century students and teachers through the Building the Education Revolution (BER) program.
Through the BER program, the Australian Government aims to:
- Provide economic stimulus through the rapid construction and refurbishment of school infrastructure.
- Build learning environments to help children, families and communities participate in activities that will support achievement, develop learning potential and bring communities together.
The three elements of the BER program are:
- Primary Schools for the 21st Century-$12.4 billion for all Australian primary schools, P-12 schools (primary school component) and special schools to build new iconic facilities such as libraries, multipurpose halls or classrooms, or to upgrade existing facilities.
- National School Pride program-$1.288 billion for all schools in Australia, government and non-government, for funding for minor capital works and maintenance projects.
- Science and Language Centres for 21st Century Secondary Schools-$1 billion for the construction of new science laboratories or language learning centres.
Queensland state schools will receive approximately $1.9 billion in BER funding, consisting of $1.6 billion for the Primary Schools for the 21st Century element, $165 million for the National School Pride element and $155 million for the Science and Languages Centres for 21st Century for Secondary Schools element.
As at August 2009 the Australian Government has approved over 3000 refurbishment and minor works projects in 1258 schools under National School Pride, 94 science and/or language centres in state high schools and over 1100 large scale projects under the Primary Schools for the 21st Century element in over 700 primary, P-10/12 and special schools. Projects under the Primary Schools for the 21st Century element are set to be approved shortly for the remaining primary, P-10/12 and special schools.
Approximately 200 large scale projects have commenced construction in primary, P-10/12 and special schools with hundreds more at the design stage. Many more are set to commence shortly. Overall there will be close to 5000 projects in Queensland's state schools.
The first round of projects funded under National School Pride are set to be completed by the end of this year with all projects to be complete by April 2011.
This enormous infrastructure investment provides Queensland with a unique opportunity to support a modern curriculum experience for Queensland state school students in the twenty-first century.
At the local level P&Cs are working with schools to ensure that projects best suit the needs of the school and local community. P&Cs are actively participating in BER by considering the needs of the school and are a signatory to key agreement documents. The P&C is not, however, party to the contract.
At the state level the QCPCA is working with the Department of Education and Training and the Queensland Government to ensure that the opportunities provided by this program for Queensland state schools are maximised. The QCPCA is representing members interests through their participation in the DET Ministers Advisory Committee for BER. QCPCA, together with principal's associations, unions and the building industry are actively shaping the BER program.
If you have any queries regarding the BER and/or BER funding then please do not hesitate to contact us.
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