SA school funding of $42m distributed among seven schools, along with $17.3m on buses

Seven schools will share in a state government spend of $42m – while a further $17m on buses will ease the year 7 high school transition. Here’s the list.

Numerous capital works and a new fleet of school buses will help ease the squeeze at SA schools.

Five schools and two preschools are receiving a share of $42m for urgent capital works and another $17.3m will help the influx of year seven students into high schools.

Premier Steven Marshall outlined the plan on Thursday and said; “This $42m prioritises funding for urgent capital works as part of the record $1.3b the Marshall Liberal Government is investing into public education infrastructure”.

Seaview Downs Primary School will receive $15m, Pimpala Primary School $12m, Nailsworth Primary School $5m, Salisbury East High School $4m, Eastern Fleurieu R-12 School $3m, Elliston RSL Memorial Children’s Centre $2m and Balharry Kindergarten $500,000.

Projects at Seaview Downs Primary School and Pimpala Primary School in Morphett Vale will replace aged facilities well past their use by date with contemporary learning areas. 

At Nailsworth Primary School an upgrade to an existing building will provide additional capacity for growing enrolments. 

Balharry Kindergarten in Lucindale will have an extended preschool.

Premier Steven Marshall and Education Minister John Gardner press conference regarding construction update on Riverbanks College at Angle Vale. Picture: Dean Martin

Twenty new school buses will be delivered by January 2022 at a cost of $12m.

Also there will be $497,000 in 2021-22 increasing to $1m per year from 2022-23 to operate new and expanded bus services to support the year seven transition to high school from 2022.

And $388,000 in 2021-22, $844,000 in 2022-23 and $450,00 in 2023-24 will be used to lease buses to service two new state schools Aldinga Payinthi College and Riverbanks College B-12.

Transport Minister Corey Wingard said the bus improvements would help all commuters. 

“This initiative will make sure our system can cater for the increased commuter demand during the peak morning and afternoon periods, minimising the impact on the broader network and other patrons,” he said.