The NSW Nationals in government are supporting students from the moment they are born, through primary and high school, and their tertiary education with a record $24.4 billion commitment in the 2021-22 NSW Budget.
Across all ages, children and students are benefitting, with more than $725 million invested in early childhood education, $20.5 billion on schools and $2.9 billion on skills.
Nationals Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said successful lifelong learning starts at birth and is supported by the Government’s investment in early childhood under the Brighter Beginnings initiative and the free preschool program.
“This is a record $725 million investment in Early Childhood Education, providing NSW children with a strong start to life and learning,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Approximately 45,000 children are enrolled in community and mobile preschools across the State and the Government has committed $150 million to ensure they can access these services for free, saving families up to $4,000 a year per child.
NSW public schools are educating more than 800,000 students each year with the help of 74,000 dedicated staff, and the NSW Government is ensuring students have the environment and support to reach their full potential.
“The school infrastructure pipeline continues at historic levels. There are 215 new and upgraded schools on the way, with 44 projects funded in this budget all to the tune of $7.9 billion over the next four years,” Ms Mitchell said.
“This government is also delivering historic reform through a once in a generation $196.6 million overhaul of the NSW Curriculum and the implementation of the School Success Model to ensure the $17.4 billion investment in NSW school students is delivering all the benefits possible.”
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said a $2.6 billion investment would support new and innovative training for the jobs of the future and transform the VET sector by making skills training accessible to the people of NSW.
Mr Lee said the government was investing more than $2 billion in TAFE NSW as the state’s comprehensive public training provider.
“This strong investment includes $19 million in digital technology upgrades at campuses across the state, $5.9 million for 16 undercover trades training facilities and $11.4 million to complete or continue the construction of seven Connected Learning Centres in regional NSW.”
