Deputy PM grilled on schools funding

By Lia Bichel
MORE than 60 school principalsfrom across Casey discussed concernsand priorities with Federal Education Minister Julia Gillard during a forum at Don Bosco Catholic Primary School, Narre Warren.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Holt MP Anthony Byrne answered questions from principals and school community representatives regarding funding through the $14.7 billion Building the Education Revolution program.
The host school is already set to benefit from the program, having received funds for a new multi-purpose hall, refurbished library, and outdoor play area, which will begin this year.
“We are very excited about receiving the grants,” principal Brendan Marrinon said.
“The hall will benefit the school, providing students with a lot more opportunities, but will also benefit the community, because they can hold sporting activities or meetings in the hall.”
The refurbished library will contain increased educational resources, while the new multi-purpose hall will allow for performing arts, sports, assemblies and community meetings.
They are both funded by a $2.5 million grant from the Primary Schools for the 21st Century (P21). The outdoor play area is supportedby a $150,000 grant through the National School Pride elements of the program.
The minister discussed the next steps for rolling out the Building the Education Revolution program and how local schools could participate in new National Partnerships on Quality Teaching, Literacy and Numeracy, and Low-SES School Communities; as well as share in more than $2 billion of resources.