NSW state schools will receive a $6 billion windfall in the upcoming state budget, with new schools, classrooms and upgrades planned over the next four years.
The funding boost aims to cater for the state's increasing student population, set to hit around 164,000 by 2031, with 170 new or upgraded schools expected and plans in next week's budget for 20 to start this year, Fairfax Media reports.
"We are in the midst of a school building program NSW has never before experienced and this year's budget takes this to a whole new level," Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Thursday.
"I am proud that our government is making this unprecedented investment into schools and our students."
New primary schools are set for Green Square, Westmead, Rhodes East, Edmondson Park, Gregory Hills and Murrumbateman in the southern tablelands, while a new high school will be built in Edmondson Park, with upgrades to Randwick Boys and Girls, Birrong Boys and Girls, and Cecil Hills High.
As part of the program, up to 1000 schools will receive air conditioning at a cost of $500 million.
Ms Berejiklian, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Education Minister Rob Stokes announced the Cooler Classrooms policy, which will ease conditions and "provide improved learning environments" in thousands of classrooms and libraries across the state.
"This funding will ensure thousands of classrooms that previously did not have air conditioning will now receive it," Ms Berejiklian said in a statement.
The air-conditioning program will target schools with the greatest need in metropolitan, regional and remote areas and to ensure the initiative is sustainable, power required will be offset by power generated by solar panels and, where possible, supported with battery storage.
The more than 170 projects are listed below, starting with the new projects and then the existing projects already underway.
New and Existing projects
Hurstville Public School Upgrade*, Kogarah – Install a 4-classroom modular building and minor core facilities upgrade to address enrolment growth
Kyeemagh Infants School Upgrade*, Rockdale – Redevelopment of Infants School into a primary school to provide additional new permanent teaching spaces and upgrade core facilities to address enrolment growth
Penshurst West Public School Upgrade*, Oatley- Upgrade to existing school
* previously announced
Existing projects underway
Penshurst Public School Upgrade, Oatley – Redevelopment of Penshurst Public School to provide 47 new permanent teaching spaces.
