Fed: Work on thousands of projects to start within weeks
06 Apr 2009 4:12 AM
Work on thousands of school improvement projects could start within weeks .. as the federal government begins handing over nearly 830 million dollars in stimulus funding to the states and territories.
Almost six thousand government and non-government schools have won funding .. from between 50-thousand-to-200-thousand dollars each .. in the first round of the 1.3 billion National School Pride Program.
Included in the initial round are some of the nation's most exclusive schools .. with Sydney's King's School receiving 200-thousand dollars to construct outdoor sporting facilities and student amenities .. and Melbourne Grammar School to spend its 200-thousand on a sustainable building comfort project.
But there's also money for some of the nation's smallest schools: .. Mutdapilly State School .. south-west of Brisbane .. with just 50 students and three teachers .. will create a community learning garden and renew four classrooms.
Elsewhere funding will go towards such things as improving playing fields, upgrading canteens, refurbishing classrooms and constructing outdoor shaded areas.
Education and Employment Minister JULIA GILLARD yesterday announced more than eight-and-a-half-thousand successful projects .. which will receive a share of $828.7 million.
AAP RTV rl/mj/psm/
