Federal Member for Spence, Matt Burnell MP has announced schools here in the North are set to benefit the most from the Schools Upgrade Fund (SUF).

Five schools in our community have secured $4.9 million worth of funding – under Round 2 of the SUF – with each benefitting from funding to build or upgrade infrastructure.

The successful projects include upgrading classrooms, installing new indoor and outdoor equipment, and upgrading sporting facilities.

The successful schools confirmed in Spence are:

• Elizabeth East Primary School: $400,000 towards primary classrooms and corridor refurbishments.
• Elizabeth Grove Primary School: $1.7 million towards the upgrade of administration building and toilet facilities.
• Elizabeth Park Primary School: $1.5 million towards STEM centre development and classroom refurbishment.
• Kaurna Plains School: $900,000 towards the extension of admin and gym buildings.
• Swallowcliffe School: $397,500 towards enhancing indoor and outdoor learning spaces for special classes.

Public schools with the greatest need were prioritised under the SUF, such as schools with high numbers of students from a low-socio economic background, and students living with disability.

School applications were reviewed by the state education department which made recommendations to the Australian Government.

Quotes attributable to Member for Spence Matt Burnell MP:

“As a new member of Parliament, a local, and a father, I was never going to accept the status quo for education in our community,” Mr Burnell said.

“We owe it to our children, teachers, and our community to do better and fight for a better deal. Since being elected, I’ve made it my commitment to evoke change in the education space here in the North.

“During my first term, I’ve welcomed the Prime Minister, Minister for Education Jason Clare and Minister for Skills & Training Brendan O’Connor to our community. I have shown them what is working well, but importantly, pointed to areas that need drastic improvement in our education sector.

“This $4.9 million is in addition to the larger $8.2 million of extra education funding already delivered during my first two years as the local representative.

“In addition to this, an extra 4,000 Fee-Free TAFE places were made available at TAFE SA in early January, providing substantial savings and supporting people into well-paid and secure work.

“Furthermore, last year the Suburban University Study Hubs (SUSH) program was announced, with the Australian Government dedicating $66.9 million to establish 20 new regional study hubs, as well as 14 suburban ones. These hubs will offer greater access and flexibility to tertiary students in outer metropolitan and peri-urban areas across the country, which is why I’m advocating for one in our community.

“There is so much more work to do, but I am committed to fighting for a more accessible and a more affordable way of life for members of our community, regardless of circumstance.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:

“I want all students to get access to a quality education, including access to quality facilities to learn in and play on.

“From upgrading classrooms to new outdoor equipment, this funding will deliver upgrades to public schools that need it the most.

“This is another important step in building a better and fairer education system.”