$400M boost for Victoria’s independent, Catholic schools

CATHOLIC and independent schools will get a $400 million funding boost, under a government pledge.

CATHOLIC and independent schools will get a $400 million funding boost, under a government pledge.

New Catholic schools will also be able to bypass local councils for planning approval under a revamped scheme which the government says will fast-track school building projects in growth areas.

Premier Daniel Andrews said the $400 million project would help fund hundreds of projects.

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Premier Daniel Andrews has announced $400m funding boost for non-government schools.

The announcement comes less than two months out from the state election. AAP Image/Ellen Smith

Making the announcement at Corpus Christi Primary School in Glenroy — the Premier’s old school — Mr Andrews said the funds would also be used to remove dangerous cladding and asbestos from Catholic and independent schools.

Mr Andrews said in each project the government would provide about 70 to 80 per cent of the funding, depending on the socio-economic make up of the school.

“The low fee schools are given clear priority,” Mr Andrews said.

The money will flow in $100 million lots annually for the next four years.

He said Corpus Christi Primary School would receive $1 million to upgrade its play area and classroom.

“This is what the partnership with the Catholic Education office is about, every child getting every chance at the life they are entitled to,” Mr Andrews said

“That is so fundamentally underpinned by skills and learning care and love and that is what every school is fundamentally motivated to do, if they are given the resources a Labor government will provide.”

Education Minister James Merlino said the priority for the fund was to support building new schools in Melbourne’s booming outer suburbs.

He said a dedicated team within the government’s planning department would fast-track new school builds, removing local councils as the planning authority.

Mr Merlino said it takes years to fund, design and build a new school.

“In Wyndham a new school is born every month — 450 students in one municipality — this is why we need to work together be it Catholic, new independent or new government schools,” he said.

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