On a local level the people of the Ballarat Electorate have seen major benefits flowing from the Gillard Government's initiatives and investments in education.
Building the Education Revolution
The Labor Government is undertaking the largest school modernisation program in Australia’s history. This investment in our local schools was long overdue and went a long way to supporting jobs during the global recession.
Schools across the Ballarat electorate have received funding for repairs, maintenance and improvements and/or new classrooms, multi-purpose halls, gyms and libraries.
Throughout 2009 and into 2010, there has truly been an education revolution across the electorate.
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Digital Education Revolution
Fourteen Ballarat electorate secondary schools are benefiting under the Labor Government’s National Secondary School Computer Fund.
A total of 2,154 new computers will go to the successful Ballarat electorate secondary schools.
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Local Schools Working Together
Sebastopol College, in partnership with Redan and Sebastopol primary schools, will receive $2.476 million for a project under Round One of the Local Schools Working Together pilot program.
The schools will develop a Ballarat South Community Hub at Sebastopol College.
The Ballarat South Community Hub will develop an innovative community precinct comprising a fitness workout centre, flexible learning space, change rooms, community meeting rooms, kitchen and kiosk, performance centre and an occasional child care facility.
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Investing in the University of Ballarat
The Labor Government has invested over $63 million into the University of Ballarat.
This included $39.7 million for the University to rebuild its science and engineering precinct to establish a world-class regional learning, teaching and research facility plus $18.091 million for a manufacturing technology training centre for the University of Ballarat.
Additionally, $2,328,000 Federal Government funding was provided for the University of Ballarat (TAFE Division) for the new equestrian centre at Mt Rowan, part of a joint venture between the university and the Riding for the Disabled Association. The Labor Government is also providing $2,980,000 for the refurbishment and extension of the existing Primary Industries Training Facility.
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On a Federal level the Gillard Government has introduced a number of exciting and forward thinking initiatives in Education.
My School Website
Creating the MySchool website to provide unprecedented information for parents about their kids’ schools. The website has been visited more than 3 million times.
Trades Training Centres
Building Trades Training Centres in schools right across the country to help kids learn a trade and address future skill shortages. Already we have approved over $800m to fund 230 projects benefiting 732 schools.
Digital Eduction Revolution
Delivering more than 300,000 Computers in over 2000 schools through the Digital Education Revolution. This will ensure kids have the IT skills necessary to find and hold a job in almost every industry in the future.
National Curriculum
Developing a single National Curriculum from Kindergarten to Year 12 in key learning areas of English, Science, History and Maths.
Education Tax Refund
Helping working families meet the cost of education through the Education Tax Refund
– providing a rebate for things like laptops, software, school text books and uniforms.
– For the 2009-10 financial year, eligible families can claim a 50% tax refund on eligible expenses of up to $780 for each child undertaking primary school studies and up to $1,558 for each child undertaking secondary school studies.
– Around 800,000 families and 1.4 million students have already benefited from the Education Tax Refund, equivalent to around $500 million in claimed tax rebates for eligible educational expenses incurred in 2008-09, with more families to benefit as they complete their tax returns.
School Modernisation Progam
Undertaking the largest school modernisation program in Australia’s history: A new school library, hall, or classroom upgrade for all primary schools. New science labs or language centres for more than 500 secondary schools. Already, more than 600 sporting grounds, 800 covered outdoor learning areas, 300 classrooms and 500 libraries have been built or upgraded.
Increasing Teacher Pay
Paying the best teachers more to work in the classrooms that need them the most and giving principals more say about what happens in their schools through the Smarter Schools National Partnerships.
Job Training
Training to help people get jobs with more than 235,000 job seekers and existing workers receiving training under the productivity places program from April 2008 to 31 May 2010. In 2008, nearly 50% of job seekers received a job offer after completing this training, and a further 25% went on to further study. The program will enable over 700 000 people to commence a qualification between 2008 and 2012.
Rebuilding Universities
Rebuilding our universities with investments to renew teaching, learning and research infrastructure.
Click here to access the Fact Sheet on achievements in Education.