The ACT Government has announced a total of $194.2 million in new education funding in the state’s 2011 Budget, brining the total level of Territory education funding to $834.7 in the 2011-12 year.

 

The 2011-12 education budget’s new recurrent funding includes:

  •  $20 million over four years to increase support for students with a disability in public schools;
  • $11.8 million to increase teacher salaries, including funding for leading and accomplished teachers;
  • $1.6 million over four years for increased frontline support services in schools for teachers;
  • $750,000 for the introduction of ACT Public Secondary School Innovation Fund over two years;
  • $450,000 over three years to support sporting excellence in schools;
  • $201,000 in funding for the Canberra Symphony Orchestra Noteworthy Program; and
  • $8 million over four years to meet the ongoing operating costs of new capital projects.

 

The 2011-12 education budget’s new capital projects includes:

  • $103 million in funding for new schools in Bonner and Franklin;
  • $9.2 million for the completion of Gungahlin College, Namadgi School and Harrison High Schools;
  • $10.1 million to expand Macgregor and Majura Primary Schools;
  •  $2.3 million over two years for the provision of artificial grass playing surfaces for schools (fulfilling an election commitment);
  •  $1.4 million for forward design work for a purpose built facility for the CC Cares program;
  •  $2.6 million in funding for new ICT initiatives for schools;
  • $1.8 million to replace the Malkara Hydrotherapy pool; and
  •  $10.8 million for upgrades to toilets facilities and other safety upgrades in schools.

 

The $11.8 million in teacher funding will cover increased salaries and other initiatives over four years, designed to ‘continue to attract and retain the best teachers in Canberra schools’.