A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will invest $120 million to build specialist learning facilities at regional schools and set students in the bush on the path to excellence.
From innovation and STEM labs to modern metal and woodwork facilities to world-class fitness spaces, regional schools would be invited to apply for funding to ensure students continue to get the best of the best in public school education.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the Regional Schools Excellence Fund recognises the importance of offering students in regional NSW a variety of high-quality education facilities and opportunities.
“We want every kid to have the opportunities to strive for excellence, no matter where they live or what their talents and interests might be. Access to modern, specialist facilities is a great way to support them on that journey,” Mr Toole said.
“The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s long-term economic plan has allowed us to invest in regional education – from new and upgraded schools to digital classrooms and better, faster internet and strategies to attract and retain great teachers for the bush.
“With this new fund, we’ll build on our vision to ensure access to better schools with the best teachers isn’t defined by where you call home.”
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the new fund is part of the Liberal and Nationals’ effort to make sure young people living in the bush are afforded the same – if not better – opportunities than those living in the city.
“Living in Gunnedah and with children at our local public school, I know that we have fantastic schools in the bush. This fund will ensure our regional schools continue to offer the best possible learning spaces and facilities, matching the aspiration that regional families have for their children,” Ms Mitchell said.
“It is only the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government who have a proven track record of delivery and who can ensure regional students and schools don’t get left behind.
“Families know they will go backwards under Labor, given Labor’s track record of closing 90 schools when they were last in government. It’s only the Liberal and Nationals Government that will keep NSW and our young people moving forward.”
The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is investing $8.6 billion in school infrastructure over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver 160 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This builds on the more than $9.1 billion invested in projects delivered since 2017, a program of $17.7 billion in public education infrastructure.
The Regional Schools Excellence Fund is part of a $1.2 billion school infrastructure package that would be delivered by a re-elected NSW Liberal and Nationals Government. This package also includes $180 million for the Regional Renewal program, which more than double the Liberal and Nationals Government’s investment in small capital works projects at regional schools.
This latest commitment is another example of the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s nation-leading work to give our kids the best start in life through:
A $15.9 billion Early Years Commitment, including delivering universal pre-Kindergarten for every child in the year before school and rolling out a full suite of health and development checks to NSW preschools.
Building modern schools that prepare students for success investing $8.6 billion for hundreds of new and upgraded schools over the next four years;
A once-in-a-generation back-to-basics school curriculum that puts literacy and numeracy first for all students.
A $250 million tutoring program to support up to 120,000 students in 2023, bringing the total to $890 million invested in tutoring since 2021.
Making sure we have the best teachers in our classrooms by supporting our students with a guaranteed 6% pay rise for teachers over the next two years, and a $100 million commitment to pay excellent teachers salaries of up to $152,000.
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