Heritage-listed Brisbane Central State School is among the eight state schools that will receive State Government funding, as part of the record $1.464-billion budget allocated for the government’s education infrastructure projects.
“Over the past 12 months, my department has undertaken master planning of 35 inner city schools in Brisbane to ensure they have the infrastructure they need for the future,” Education Minister Grace Grace said.
“I am pleased that this year’s budget includes funding to start bringing these master plans to fruition at eight schools – Toowong, Newmarket, Brisbane Central, New Farm, Morningside, Ithaca Creek, Windsor and Petrie Terrace state schools,” Minister Grace said.
Brisbane Central State School is set to receive $3.5 million in 2019-20 out of the $14.1 million total spend to construct a new building with 12 general learning spaces, library, canteen, and administration.
“This will see new and enhanced classrooms, libraries, canteens and administration areas built at these schools, which will make these great schools even better.
“State schools in regional Queensland are also in line for an infrastructure boost, with the Budget providing funding for a range of projects at schools from the tip of Cape York and West to Mount Isa.”
Four new schools to be built across the state
The State Government 2019-20 Budget also includes funding for the construction of four additional new schools which will also be built across the state, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.
“New primary and special schools will be built at Palmview and a new secondary school will be built at Caloundra South on the Sunshine Coast, and a new primary school will be built at Pimpama on the Gold Coast,” Premier Palaszczuk said.
“These new state schools will enrol students for day 1, 2021 along with the new Inner City South State Secondary College, which we’re delivering in Dutton Park for Brisbane’s inner southern suburbs.
“This investment will see the total number of new schools opened by my government since 2015 increase to 26.”
Comfortable learning environment
The state will also invest an additional $100 million, spread over four years, for priority state school air-conditioning projects. This will bring the government’s total investment to $191 million over five years.
“This will include urgent replacement of air-conditioning units in schools in the Cooler Schools Zone and other priority school air-conditioning projects as identified through a review of state school air-conditioning needs,” Ms Grace said.
Additional teachers and teacher aides
The Budget also ensures that the Government will be able to fulfill its commitment to employ an additional 3,700 teachers over four years.
Ms Grace further said that included in the budget is the funding to employ 1,000 additional teachers and over 200 extra teacher aides to meet growing enrolment in Qld state schools. This also includes a boost of at least 240 teachers and teacher aides to support the educational needs of children with a disability.
“Since March 2015, we have employed an additional 4,800 full-time equivalent teachers and around 1400 teacher aides to ensure students have the support they need to become the global citizens of tomorrow. Our significant investment in new and enhanced educational facilities and additional teachers and teacher aides will ensure all Queensland children receive a world-class education wherever they live.”
