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Premier and Minister for the Arts The Honourable Anna Bligh

Minister for Education and Training The Honourable Geoff Wilson

Thursday, February 18, 2010

$9 MILLION FOR SCIENCE FACILITIES IN REGIONAL QUEENSLAND SCHOOLS

Premier Anna Bligh and Education Minister Geoff Wilson today announced that 10 regional Queensland schools will share in $9 million for state-of-the-art science facilities.

The Premier said the funding was part of a $14 million Bligh Government boost to refurbish and improve science facilities in schools around Queensland.

“The Bligh Government is committed to improving science outcomes in classrooms across the state and this investment in school facilities will help achieve that goal.”

“The upgrades will involve redesigning old laboratories to support innovative teaching and learning and improve fixtures.

“The Bligh Government is investing in science facilities to ensure Queensland’s young people have the flying start they need for the jobs of tomorrow.”

These upgrades include:

·Nambour State High School – 2 labs - $464,499

·Noosa District State High School – 4 labs - $928,998

·Mundubbera State School – 1 lab - $249,990

·Atherton State High School – 2 labs - $636,748

·Emerald State High School – 4 labs - $1,128,169

·Miami State High School – 5 labs - $1,155,750

·Palm Beach-Currumbin State High School – 4 labs - $924,600

·Quinalow State School – 1 lab - $252,906

·Ayr State High School – 2 labs - $500,164

·Kirwan State High School – 4 labs - $1,180,328

In total, the funding will improve some 29 laboratories.

Mr Wilson said the announcement comes on top of 83 other Bligh Government science projects across the state. In addition, $106 million is being spent on science lab upgrades in Queensland schools as part of the Building the Education Revolution (BER).

“Everywhere you look in Queensland at the moment, schools are benefitting from record amounts of infrastructure spending across both federal and state governments,” he said.

“Science is just one plank in an education that is vital and should be focused on a love and curiosity for learning.

“Today’s announcement goes straight to the heart of the Bligh Government’s belief that all children should have access to a world class education.”

Mr Wilson said the vigour with which the Bligh Government pursued improvements in science education was just part of its commitment to giving all students a flying start into education.

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