What does SLC provide?
The Science and Languages Centres for 21st Century Secondary Schools (SLC) element of BER is to fund the building of science laboratories or language learning centres in secondary schools. A competitive process will fund schools that can demonstrate the greatest socio-economic disadvantage and need for the facility, with a readiness and capacity to be able to build the facilities within the 2009-10 financial year.
What was the process for selecting successful schools and who was responsible for making the assessment?
The announcement of successful schools under SLC followed a competitive process in which expressions of interest from secondary schools were sought, assessed and shortlisted by Education Authorities (EAs) and Block Grant Authorities (BGAs) nationwide before being submitted to the Department for review and then provided to the National Assessment Panel (NAP) for assessment. The recommendations of the NAP were then forwarded to the Acting Minister for Education, Senator the Hon Kim Carr, for final approval.
The applications were assessed by the NAP against the following criteria, in order of priority:
- Demonstrated level of disadvantage
- Identified and demonstrated need for the specified building
- Capacity to build the facility within the specified timeframes
- Effective and efficient use of Commonwealth funding
- Extent to which the project incorporates sustainable building principles.
How many schools have been successful under SLC?
SLC will deliver $821.8 million initiative to build 537 new (or refurbish existing) science laboratories and language learning centres in secondary schools.
When will SLC projects need to start and end by?
Schools will need to commence their projects by the end of August 2009 and complete them by 30 June 2010.
What are the types of projects approved under SLC?
280 science centres, 179 language centres and 78 dual facilities have been approved. Of these, 376 are new construction projects and 161 are refurbishment projects.
What is the school sector breakdown of funding for these projects?
Up to $572 million (71 per cent) of funding will go to Government schools, $148 million (18 per cent) to Catholic schools and $90 million (11 per cent) to Independent schools.
What constitutes a Science or Language centre under the SLC element of the BER?
A Science Centre is any facility designed and equipped to provide the teaching and learning of natural, applied or behavioural science. This would allow for (but is not limited to) the teaching of subjects such as chemistry, engineering, biology, electronics, environmental technology, physics, nanotechnology, anthropology and agricultural science.
For the purposes of the SLC element, a Language Centre is a facility with dedicated space suitable for the teaching and learning of languages and cultures. It would not include a facility designed to teach English except for the teaching of English to students from non-English speaking backgrounds.
Could a school apply to build a dual facility, housing both a science laboratory and a language centre?
Yes. A school could apply for an integrated facility encompassing a science and language centre, provided it is one project.
Is English eligible to be a component of a language centre?
Yes, in respect to teaching of English to students from non-English speaking backgrounds (English as a Second Language). It would not be allowed for English to be taught to students whose first language was English.
Can a school that was unsuccessful appeal the decision?
The decision the Acting Minister for Education made is final and was based on a competitive selection process assessed against the stated criteria. However, schools that wish to make enquiries about their application’s lack of success can contact their relevant education authority for information. If schools have additional concerns they can contact the National BER Co-ordinator.
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.
Can schools commence the project before they receive the funding in their account?
Yes, a school can commence a project as soon as it has approval. Commencement of a project is defined for the purposes of BER as the undertaking of any action, post any design phase that incurs an expense covered by BER funding for that project.
In partnership with our State and Territory colleagues, we will ensure every school is supported to commence their projects as soon as possible.
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 SLC are completed by 30 June 2010. 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.
What are the recognition and publicity requirements for SLC?
To receive funding under BER, there is a requirement to recognise and acknowledge the Commonwealth’s contribution. Schools receiving funding under SLC 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.