ACT 2021 budget aims to address school safety and capacity issues

More money will also be spent on expanding existing schools and building new schools in growing areas of Canberra after an inquiry into school infrastructure put a spotlight on Canberra's cramped and ageing school buildings.

The ACT government will spend $5.9 million over four years for additional resources for the occupational violence and complex case management team.

MORE A.C.T. BUDGET:

The Australian Education Union ACT branch raised the issue of workplace safety in its budget submission, stating that Education Directorate staff reported nearly 1000 work safety incidents per month in February and March this year.

The government will fund feasibility studies, master planning and forward design work for new and expanded schools in the inner south, inner north, Molonglo and central Belconnen and specialist school services in the north.

Inner north schools in particular have felt the pinch caused by urban infill, with 10-year enrolment projections suggesting a new primary school will need to be build in the region.

Garran Primary School will get a sorely-needed permanent expansion to increase capacity to 800 students. The campus has a village of demountable buildings to keep up with increasing enrolments while the library and staff room were being used for classes.

READ MORE:

More funding will go towards the modernisation of Narrabundah College and $19.8 million will be spent to install new transportable classrooms to meet expected enrolment growth.

Design work will start for a new Strathnairn Primary School as work progresses on new schools in other greenfield sites including a Taylor high school, Kenny high school, Throsby primary school and expansion of Margaret Hendry School and Evelyn Scott School.

The government will put $450,000 over two years towards a review of education for students with a disability in ACT public schools and develop and inclusion strategy.

The inquiry into school infrastructure heard that schools were mostly inaccessible for people with disabilities and mental health concerns while restrictive practices were still used in schools.

Students with additional needs are set to benefit from funding which would provide the equivalent of 42 full-time learning professionals and support staff.

The Education Directorate will work to remove hazardous materials in schools, including lead and asbestos, with a $15 million fund over four years, fulfilling Labor's election promise.

The government previously announced $51 million over four years for equity programs, including free Chromebooks for year 7 to 12 students, free preschool for 500 three-year-olds and funding for 25 youth and social workers.

The future of education equity fund will provide grants to disadvantaged families to meet educational expenses. Five schools will start a two-year trial to provide free breakfast and lunch three days per week.

Funds to recruit qualified teacher librarians will begin to flow from 2022-23.

MORE A.C.T. BUDGET:

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: