More and better local schools for our kids

The 2018 Budget will deliver new and expanded schools for Canberra’s growing suburbs, as well as recruiting more teachers and enhancing learning opportunities to continue strengthening our city’s world class education system.

Over 46,500 Canberra kids currently attend our local public schools and are supported on their learning journey by 3,800 teachers. This Budget invests in delivering priority outcomes from the Future of Education community conversation to improve teaching and learning in every local school and see our kids reach their full potential – no matter their background.

More schools, better schools

The ACT Government is delivering more and better schools to ensure all Canberra students have access to a great public education. The 2018 Budget will deliver:

• $47 million to build a new primary school in Molonglo, which will provide places for 600 students in Kindergarten to Year 6 as well as a pre-school and early learning centre. The school will be ready to take students from the start of the 2021 school year
• $25.4 million to support the growth of school enrolments across Gungahlin by increasing the capacity at:
  • Amaroo School
  • Gold Creek School (junior campus)
  • Neville Bonner Primary School
  • Franklin Early Childhood School
• $18.8 million to refurbish Campbell Primary School to deliver a better learning environment and modern facilities for students, teachers and the local community
• $5.6 million to establish a Future Skills Academy that will help Canberra students build their competency in science, technology, engineering and maths to prepare for the jobs of the future.

A world class education for Canberra’s students

The ACT boasts one of the best public education systems in Australia. The 2018 Budget will invest in our teachers and provide more support for students with complex needs to ensure our local schools keep getting even better. This will include:

• $31.1 million for teachers and support staff who will deliver schooling to more than 1,000 additional students as Canberra’s school population grows (equivalent to 66 full-time learning professionals and support staff)
• $23.2 million to support students with disability and complex health needs in ACT public schools through the needs-based funding model
• $9.2 million to progress measures arising from the Future of Education community conversation, including initiatives to build teacher capacity in literacy and numeracy and support a new teacher mentor program
• $7.3 million to employ 15 additional full-time psychologists by the 2020 school year to support student wellbeing and mental health outcomes for students, parents and carers within school communities
• $6.7 million over four years to continue work on a comprehensive Early Childhood strategy to promote equity and quality in the ACT’s early childhood education and care sector, recognising the importance of early childhood education in lifelong learning outcomes.

Canberra’s local schools will keep getting better as we grow through these investments in the 2018 Budget.

Media contact: Alex Craig     0466 024 520     alexandra.craig@act.gov.au