Budget boom for new schools and classrooms of the future

The NSW Government is investing nearly $1 billion extra for new and upgraded schools across the State, bringing the total spend on education capital works to $2.6 billion over four years.

The commitment detailed in yesterday’s Budget is in response to growing enrolments and to ensure students benefit from innovative technology and teaching practices. The commitment equates to around 3,000 classrooms.

“By increasing investment in new and existing schools, we can ensure we are prepared for a once in a generation rise in enrolments and that all children receive the highest quality education,” said NSW Premier Mike Baird.

Mr Baird today joined Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli at the Futures Learning Unit at the Australian Technology Park to inspect training classrooms, which are equipped with modern digital technology and flexible learning spaces.

“It’s exciting to see first-hand how our children’s learning is evolving and the traditional classroom is being transformed into an interactive learning space,” Mr Piccoli said.

In the Budget it was announced that new primary schools will be developed at Smalls Road, Ryde and North Kellyville; a senior campus of Cammeraygal High School will be established at Crows Nest; and planning for additional classrooms will begin at Willoughby Public School, Willoughby Girls High School, Fort Street Public School, Oran Park Public School, Rosehill Public School and Curl Curl North Public School.

“It is so important that we invest in state of the art schools to make sure students can learn the skills they will need to prepare them for the jobs of the future,” Ms Berejiklian said.

In this year’s Budget there is a record investment in education, with $13.7 billion in recurrent funding in 2016-17 - up by $950 million on last year.

The NSW Government is more than doubling the investment to address the education maintenance backlog, from $160 million to $330 million over two years.

Since 2011, the NSW Government has committed to projects and a strategy to provide over 36,000 new student places.