NSW schools to get maintenance and upgrades under $1.2 billion investment

All public schools across the state will get upgrades such as new flooring or a lick of paint under a $1.2 billion maintenance spend by the Perrottet Government.

The state’s schools are about to get a $1.2 billion facelift and tidy-up.

The state government said the money, announced in the 2022/23 budget, will fund hundreds of thousands of projects at the state’s public schools.

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said this would include painting, new flooring and repairing fences, gates, windows and doors.

“I want every student, no matter where they live, to have safe and comfortable learning environments and I know this funding helps keep our schools at a world-class level,” Ms Mitchell said.

“We are delivering a record number of new and upgraded schools while maintaining our existing 2200 schools across the state.

Rockdale Public School will share in $1.2 billion in upgrades. Pictured is assistant principal Tara Edmonds with students (L-R) Ruby Boscolo, 11, Dominic Galvan, Neal Mircevski, 11 and Sayyan Doke, 11. Picture: Tim Hunter

“These planned maintenance projects can be minor in nature but feedback from schools continues to highlight the difference a coat of paint or laying new carpet can have on student learning environments.”

Rockdale Public in Sydney’s south will receive more than $850,000 for repairs and improvements.

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said the upgrades would improve comfort and safety. Picture: Gary Ramage

Assistant principal Tara Edmonds said previous upgrades had been a big boost for safety as well as morale.

“Our school opened in 1881 so obviously there’s a lot of fairly regular work to maintain it,” Ms Edmonds said.

“Some of it has been new roofs, which was important for the weather, or sinks being installed, which was essential during Covid.

“We’ve also had our demountables refreshed with new paint and carpet. Those rooms were really dreary beforehand and now that they’re nice and bright and inviting, the kids actually like being there and it’s nicer for us to work somewhere fresh and clean too.

Assistant principal Tara Edmons with students at Rockdale Public School.Picture: Tim Hunter

“I think the favourite of the kids though has been new asphalt that has allowed them to play safely.”

As part of the spend, 50 new “asset service officers” will be recruited across the state to help maintain school grounds.

“I want our principals to be able to focus on their core roles,” Ms Mitchell said.

“This investment will support efforts to remove administrative tasks from their workload.”

Under the Local Trade Scheme, schools will hire local tradies for jobs valued up to $50,000.

The government also recently announced $15 million for upgrades to preschools that it hopes will increase places and cut wait times.