• When will we know the results of Round Two of the National School Pride (NSP) program?
• How many schools have been successful in Round Two of NSP?
• What is the total allocation of funding for these projects?
• When will successful schools receive the funding?
• When will the first projects start?
• Can schools commence the project before they receive the funding in their account?
• When do schools have to spend the money?
• What if the schools can’t spend the money in time/cannot spend all the money/don’t need all the money?
• How much is a school eligible for under the NSP program?
• What are the recognition requirements for NSP?
• What do we do if our school is not listed on the web site?  Will an appeals process be available to schools?
• NSP Round Two funding has been announced, what happens next?

When will we know the results of Round Two of the National School Pride (NSP) program?

The results are now available on the web site.  They were officially announced by the Minister for Education on Thursday 21 May 2009.

How many schools have been successful in Round Two of NSP?

A total of 3 496 schools have been successful in Round Two of NSP, funding 4 513 projects in eligible schools across Australia

What is the total allocation of funding for these projects?

Round Two of NSP will see a total of over $439.7 million delivered to schools. This combined with the funding for NSP Round One amounts to a total allocation of $1.3 billion.  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.

When will the first projects start?

Projects funded under Round Two should commence immediately in order to meet the completion deadline of 1 February 2010.

Can schools commence the project before they receive the funding in their account?

Yes. Projects should start as soon as practicable for completion by 1 February 2010.

When do schools have to spend the money?

The money must be spent by 1 February 2010.

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 Two are completed by 1 February 2010. 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.

How much is a school eligible for under the NSP program?

States, territories and BGAs will receive funding allocations for 60% of their schools to be able to access funding in the 2008-09 financial year. Funding for the remaining 40% of schools will be provided in the 2009-10 financial year. Funding is based upon two milestone payments: 50% upon commencement and the remaining 50% payable upon completion.
Funding allocations to states, territories and BGAs are calculated on the basis of enrolment numbers – full-time equivalent as of February 2009 census data. Indicative funding amounts per school are as follows:

When do projects under NSP need to be completed by?

Round 1: 60% of schools

Round 2: 40% of schools

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 website?  Will an appeals process be available to schools?

In the first instance, schools not listed on the website 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 Two funding has been announced, what happens next?

Those schools funded through NSP Round Two should now be working closely with their education authority to ensure the school’s project(s) are completed by 1 February 2010, and where difficulties may arise, notifying their education authority at an early stage so that remedial action can be taken.

This is the final round of funding under the NSP program, however there are still two more rounds of funding under Primary Schools for the 21st Century (P21), and one competitive round for Science and Language Centres for the 21st Century (SLC).

The key dates for the remaining elements are as follows:

• 15 May 2009 – The second round for P21 applications close.
• 31 May 2009 – First and only round of SLC applications close.
• 10 July 2009 – The third and final round for P21 applications close.