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The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, has today released guidelines that will assist schools around the nation to be part of the Rudd Government’s $14.7 billion Building the Education Revolution.

Building the Education Revolution is a key element of the Rudd Government’s $42 billion Nation Building and Jobs Plan to support jobs, stimulate local economies and invest in important infrastructure for the long term.

$14.7 billion is now available to schools across Australia to build or upgrade existing facilities, including:

• Primary Schools for the 21st Century - $12.4 billion long term investment to build or upgrade large scale infrastructure, such as libraries and multi-purpose facilities in all primary schools, special schools and K-12 schools.
• National School Pride Program - $1.3 billion investment to refurbish and renew existing infrastructure and undertake minor building works in every Australian school.
• Science and Language Centres for 21st Century Schools - $1 billion long term investment to build around 500 new science and language laboratories in secondary schools.

Under the guidelines, schools will be required to make the new or refurbished facilities available for broader community use at no or low cost.

Preference will also be given tenders from businesses which demonstrate a commitment to retain and employ new trainees and apprentices.

The guidelines are available on the Building the Education Revolution website www.buildingtheeducationrevolution.gov.au together with a range of information material to assist schools and education authorities in the preparation of project proposals.

Many Building the Education Revolution infrastructure works will commence as early as June 2009 to help stimulate local economies in these difficult economic times.

A full list of State, Territory and Block Grant Authority (BGAs) coordinator contact details are available on the website. Indicative funding guides are also available online.

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