The NSW Government will provide an additional $32 million to Catholic and Independent schools over the next four years to assist them to build more classrooms to accommodate growing enrolments across the State.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Education Minister Rob Stokes today announced the increase – bringing the total funding to $165 million over four years.
The increase in funding in the NSW Budget follows the earlier announcement of a staggering $6 billion over the next four years to deliver more than 170 new and upgraded government schools throughout NSW – representing the largest investment into schools by any state government in Australian history.
Mr Perrottet said the strong economic management of the NSW Liberals & Nationals meant there is capacity in the Budget to provide this extra funding for non-government schools, something that Labor would have never been able to achieve.
“We are pleased to be able to assist Catholic and Independent schools to expand their facilities to meet the growing demand for student places,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This funding compliments the historic investment we announced earlier this week to deliver more than 2,000 permanent classrooms in government schools,” he said.
The increased investment will be delivered through bolstered grants administered under the Building Grants Assistance Scheme (BGAS) and will be directed to Catholic and Independent schools with the greatest need, based on the socio-economic status of each school community.
Last year’s funding from the NSW Government’s Scheme provided additional student capacity for schools including $2.63 million for St Lucy’s School for students with disabilities at Wahroonga, $1.3 million for St Luke’s Catholic College at Marsden Park, $2.67 million for St Mary’s Catholic College at Gateshead, and $1.1 million for Oran Park Anglican College.
Minister Stokes said that both government and non-government schools faced significant enrolment challenges in coming years – by 2031, the State’s total student population is projected to grow by 21 per cent to 1.5 million students.
“These grants have helped leverage the funding provided by schools themselves, parents and their local communities to help cater for growing enrolments and refurbish or build new facilities,” Mr Stokes said.
“We want all students in NSW to succeed and thrive in the 21st century, regardless of what school they go to.”
BGAS is funded by the NSW Government and administered by the Association of Independent Schools NSW and the NSW Catholic Block Grant Authorities.
The focus of these grants is on providing support for schools for specific purposes and low fee Catholic and independent schools. High fee private schools do not qualify.
Between 2014/15 and 2017/18, this funding has supported 89 non-government schools to deliver new and upgraded classrooms, science labs, outdoor areas and facilities for students with special needs.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Education Minister Rob Stokes today announced the increase – bringing the total funding to $165 million over four years.
The increase in funding in the NSW Budget follows the earlier announcement of a staggering $6 billion over the next four years to deliver more than 170 new and upgraded government schools throughout NSW – representing the largest investment into schools by any state government in Australian history.
Mr Perrottet said the strong economic management of the NSW Liberals & Nationals meant there is capacity in the Budget to provide this extra funding for non-government schools, something that Labor would have never been able to achieve.
“We are pleased to be able to assist Catholic and Independent schools to expand their facilities to meet the growing demand for student places,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This funding compliments the historic investment we announced earlier this week to deliver more than 2,000 permanent classrooms in government schools,” he said.
The increased investment will be delivered through bolstered grants administered under the Building Grants Assistance Scheme (BGAS) and will be directed to Catholic and Independent schools with the greatest need, based on the socio-economic status of each school community.
Last year’s funding from the NSW Government’s Scheme provided additional student capacity for schools including $2.63 million for St Lucy’s School for students with disabilities at Wahroonga, $1.3 million for St Luke’s Catholic College at Marsden Park, $2.67 million for St Mary’s Catholic College at Gateshead, and $1.1 million for Oran Park Anglican College.
Minister Stokes said that both government and non-government schools faced significant enrolment challenges in coming years – by 2031, the State’s total student population is projected to grow by 21 per cent to 1.5 million students.
“These grants have helped leverage the funding provided by schools themselves, parents and their local communities to help cater for growing enrolments and refurbish or build new facilities,” Mr Stokes said.
“We want all students in NSW to succeed and thrive in the 21st century, regardless of what school they go to.”
BGAS is funded by the NSW Government and administered by the Association of Independent Schools NSW and the NSW Catholic Block Grant Authorities.
The focus of these grants is on providing support for schools for specific purposes and low fee Catholic and independent schools. High fee private schools do not qualify.
Between 2014/15 and 2017/18, this funding has supported 89 non-government schools to deliver new and upgraded classrooms, science labs, outdoor areas and facilities for students with special needs.