Hundreds of millions in state budget for crumbling public schools
The Victorian state government has committed $1.6 billion to school infrastructure, including $295 million for upgrades across 31 public schools and $762 million over four years for new and expanded schools. The funding aims to add thousands of school places, particularly in fast-growing outer suburbs, and includes land acquisition for future schools. Despite the investment, education advocates criticize Victoria as a 'national laggard' on school funding, and teachers are set to take industrial action over pay and underfunding concerns.
- ▪The Victorian government will allocate $1.6 billion to school infrastructure, with $295 million designated for immediate building upgrades at 31 schools.
- ▪An additional $762 million will be spent over four years to build and expand schools, creating 8,650 new school places, primarily in outer suburban areas like Melton, Casey, and Wyndham.
- ▪The government has set aside $104 million to purchase land for future schools in high-growth regions including Cardinia, Greater Geelong, Hume, Melbourne, Mitchell, and Wyndham.
- ▪Twenty-four government schools will receive targeted repairs through a $25 million fund, including Essendon Keilor College, Monbulk College, and Diamond Creek East Primary.
- ▪Teachers in Melbourne’s north-west are planning industrial action the day after the budget, demanding a 35% pay rise over three years amid ongoing concerns about underfunding in public education.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Sydney Morning Herald.