P21 Element
Primary Schools for the 21st Century (P21) has provided funding to all eligible primary schools, special schools and K-12 schools (primary schools), for the building or renewing of large-scale infrastructure works including:
- libraries
- multipurpose halls, including:
- gymnasiums
- indoor sporting centres
- assembly halls
- performing arts centres) or
- in the case of smaller schools, covered outdoor learning areas and
- new 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 is allowed.
The $14.1 billion P21 element has delivered funding to 7920 schools to develop 10 475 projects.* 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.
*Data correct as at 31 July 2011.
Funding allocations for P21
Funding allocations were calculated on the basis of full-time equivalent (FTE) enrolment numbers based on the February 2009 census data collected for the purposes of the BER. Indicative funding amounts per school are as follows:
| 1 to 50 |
$250,000 |
| 51 to 150 |
$850,000 |
| 151 to 300 |
$2,000,000 |
| 301 to 400 |
$2,500,000 |
Completion dates for P21 projects
It is a requirement of the P21 element that all projects under Round One are completed by 20 December 2010, Round Two by 31 January 2011 and Round Three by 31 March 2011. However, where delays occur, DEEWR is working with the relevant education authority to ensure completion of construction and/or refurbishment of their approved projects within an approved timeframes.