What can funding provided under the NSP program be spent on?
National School Pride program will provide funding to every Australian school – primary and secondary, government and non-government.
Funding under this program must be used to undertake construction of small scale infrastructure and/or minor refurbishment projects.
Projects that can be approved for funding under this element of BER include:
- refurbishment of buildings;
- construction or upgrades of fixed shade structures, covered outdoor learning areas, sporting grounds and facilities;
- green upgrades (water tanks), insulation;
- specialised infrastructure support for students with disabilities or special needs;
Items which are covered by the guidelines relating to the national Secondary School Computer Fund or the additional funding associated with the deployment of computers under this Fund, will not be funded under any element of BER (including computers for student use).
How many schools have been successful in Round One of NSP?
A total of 5965 schools have been successful in Round One of NSP, funding 8,663 projects in eligible schools across Australia
What is the total allocation of funding for these projects?
Round One of NSP will see a total of $828.16 million delivered to schools. A full breakdown of funding per school project can be found on our website www.buildingtheeducationrevolution.gov.au.
When will successful schools receive the funding?
Many projects under the NSP program will begin almost immediately. Funding for NSP will be paid by the Commonwealth to the states and territories and then distributed to state and territory Education Departments for government schools and to relevant Block Grant Authorities (BGAs) for non-government schools.
Can schools commence the project before they receive the funding in their account?
Yes. Projects should start as soon as practicable for completion by 20 December 2009.
When do schools have to spend the money?
The money must be spent by 20 December 2009.
What if the schools can’t spend the money in time/cannot spend all the money/don’t need all the money?
It is a requirement of the program that all projects under NSP Round One are completed by 20 December 2009. Funding for the National School Pride program is based upon two milestone payments: 50 per cent upon commencement and the remaining 50 per cent payable upon completion.
When will the next round of NSP be announced?
Round Two, for those schools not funded in NSP Round One, closes 8 May 2009. There will then be an assessment period, with an announcement of successful schools to follow.
What are the recognition requirements for NSP?
Schools are not required to conduct a recognition ceremony as part of NSP. However if a school wants to have a ceremony they can with plaques provided to the school on request. If the school is receiving funding under other element/s of the BER, the NSP program will be recognised as part of the ceremony for the other element/s. The Recognition procedures for BER are in the BER Guidelines and education authorities have agreed to follow the procedures in their funding agreements.
What do we do if our school is not listed on the web site? Will an appeals process be available to schools?
In the first instance, schools not listed on the web site with funded projects need to contact their BER Coordinator in the office of their education authority in their state.
If the school considers they are still not satisfied with the resolution of the issue, the BER guidelines state the school may put its concerns in writing to the National BER Coordinator. The National BER Coordinator may, where appropriate, after considering the objectives of the BER program and the BER guidelines, discuss the school’s concerns with the relevant State/Territory or BGA for the purpose of ensuring that funding is allocated in accordance with the BER guidelines. You can contact the National BER Coordinator via BER@deewr.gov.au
NSP Round One funding has been announced, what happens next?
Those schools funded through NSP Round One should now be working closely with their education authority to ensure the school’s project(s) are completed by 20 December 2009, and where difficulties may arise, notifying their education authority at an early stage so that remedial action can be taken.
The Primary Schools for the 21st Century (P21) Round One opens with key dates as follows:
1 April P21 - Round One opened for the submission of applications
10 April P21 - Round One closing date.