What is the total number of schools that have been successful under all three Rounds of P21?
A full breakdown of funding per school project for each round can be found on our website under Primary Schools for the 21st Century.
What is the school sector breakdown of successful schools under all rounds of P21?
Under P21, up to $9.4 billion (68.5 per cent) of funding will go to Government schools, $2.7 billion (20 per cent) to Catholic schools and up to $1.6 million (11.5 per cent) to Independent schools.
When will successful schools receive the funding?
Funding will flow from the Commonwealth to State and Territory Treasuries and then to State and Territory Education Departments for government schools and to relevant Block Grant Authorities (BGAs) for non-government schools in accordance the agreements the Commonwealth has in place. Funding for individual schools will be provided as per the arrangements put in place by State and Territory Education Departments and BGAs.
When do the projects under Round Three of P21 start?
Project commencement is September-October 2009 or construction must commence by 1 December 2009.
Is this the last opportunity schools will have to get funding under the BER?
Yes. This is the final announcement of funding under BER. Thousands of school communities around Australia will now have the approval to get underway with the planning and construction of their BER projects.
What if the schools can’t spend the money in time/can’t spend all the money/don’t need all the money?
It is a requirement of the program that all projects under P21 Round Three are completed by 31 March 2011. But where unforeseen delays occur, DEEWR will work with the relevant education authority to ensure completion of construction and/or refurbishment of their approved projects within the set timeframe.
The Commonwealth Government has reporting requirements in place for the state, territory education authorities and BGAs to report on project progress including meeting project deadlines, objectives, tracking expenditure and sustainability aspects of completed projects. Schools are responsible for providing project information to their state, territory education authority or BGA to enable completion of reporting requirements. Expenditure reporting requirements includes actual expenditure and committed contract funds.
If a school hasn’t received the full amount they are eligible for, will they get to reapply in later rounds?
No, this is the final funding round.
What are the recognition and publicity requirements for P21?
To receive funding under BER, there is a requirement to recognise and acknowledge the Commonwealth’s contribution. Schools receiving funding under P21 must hold recognition ceremonies as part of their conditions of funding. For further information on the requirements of recognition and publicity are available in the guidelines.
What are the plaque and roadside signs requirements for schools receiving funding under BER?
Plaques: Schools will be required to affix a plaque, to be supplied by the Commonwealth, to all completed projects. This includes, but is not limited to, new buildings and substantially refurbished buildings. Where a plaque cannot be attached to a project because of the nature of the project, then a plaque must be placed in an appropriate location in the school, such as the front foyer or administration area.
Roadside signs: Schools will be required to affix a roadside sign, to be supplied by the Commonwealth, in front of the school for projects being funded under the Primary Schools for the 21st Century and Science and Language Centres for 21st Century Secondary Schools.
Signs will be arriving in schools shortly.
What can funding provided under P21 be spent on?
The focus of the Primary Schools for the 21st Century is the building of major new infrastructure for primary schools, the primary component of K-12 schools, and special schools’ total full-time equivalents (FTE) enrolments. Buildings that will be funded include libraries, multipurpose halls (eg. gymnasiums, indoor sporting centres, assembly halls, performing arts centres) or, in the case of smaller schools, covered outdoor learning areas, or classrooms. Where a school already has a contemporary library or hall or no need for new classrooms, refurbishment of existing facilities or the building of a different type of building will be allowed.