Building the education revolution. The Government has announced Building the Education Revolution, a $14.7 billion long term investment to improve the quality of facilities, like gymnasiums, libraries and science labs in Australian schools. Prime Minister of Australia, 3 February 2009.
Comment: This appears to be a truly massive amount of money, I hope the expertise and coordination is equal to the task..
All members of the LLEN should note the work of the Victorian Rural and Regional Services Development Committee and the Outer Suburban/Interface Services and Development Committee of the Parliament of Victoria. Over the past year the Central Ranges LLEN has given sworn evidence, made submissions to or assisted other groups to contribute to these three inquiries.
On January 19th, 2006, the Rural and Regional Services and Development Committee received terms of reference for an Inquiry into Retaining Young People in Rural Towns and Communities. The Committee is required to report to the Parliament by June 15th, 2006.
The terms of reference require the Committee to identify and examine the factors that influence young people to remain in rural communities, or to leave them; and to recommend strategies that might lead to more young people remaining in or returning to rural communities.
The full Terms of Reference can be found by following the link on this page.
The Committee welcomes contributions to the Inquiry. Follow the link to the “How to Make a Submission” page for more information about how to contribute your views.
The deadline for submission is 28th April 2006.
On 3 June 2003, the Rural and Regional Services and Development Committee of the Parliament of Victoria received terms of reference to inquire into regional telecommunications infrastructure for business.
The reference requires the all-party Committee to inquire into the potential benefits to Victorian regional businesses from improved access to telecommunications infrastructure and services, in particular broadband infrastructure and services, and highlight any impediments that may stop businesses realising this potential.
The Central Ranges LLEN has provided sworn statements to the Regional Telecommunications review. This can be found here.
To inquire into and report to Parliament on issues relating to strengthening communities through improved community engagement in outer urban areas, including both developing and established communities.
In particular, the Committee is requested to
The Committee is to make its final report to Parliament no later than 31 March 2006.
Link: Parliamentary Committee Inquires in to Retaining Youth
Those of us familiar with the changes in the UK under Tony Blairs “Education, Education, Education” world view, will recognise elements of this proposal. This will be something that we should watch very closely.
In a profound and challenging move in State Education, Carolin Milburn reports in todays Saturday “Age Online” that some state schools will be closed and their sites sold under a Bracks Government plan to fund major upgrades of schools.
The report goes on to say:
The draft policy is a dramatic departure from current practices where government schools get extra money to improve facilities or build new ones.
For the first time in Victoria’s 130-year history of state education, government spending on school infrastructure will depend on schools raising student achievement levels. The draft policy says the new method of funding was required to narrow the gap between underperforming and high-achieving schools. If schools want money for capital works they must first prove to the education department they have a plan to lift student results, according to the policy document, Capital Investment and Access Planning Policy.
The Honourable Lynne Kosky, Minister for Education and Training was reported as saying she was in the final stages of consulting leading groups representing teachers, parents, school councils and principals and that she will release the policy within two weeks.
For full details, follow this link the The Age Newspaper Online.[Login may be required]
[Source: theage.com.au]
The Australian Government ‘Local Answers’ program helps strengthen disadvantaged communities by funding local, small-scale, time limited projects that help communities build skills and capacity to identify opportunities and take action for the benefit of their members. Applicants should consult the Local Answers Guidelines, and ensure their application thoroughly addresses all of the relevant selection criteria to be in contention for funding. Applications close 23 September 2005. 22 August 2005
As has been reported in May , the CRLLEN has been successful in securing 0.248 Million from the Federal Government’s Community Based Demand Aggregation Broker Programme. The project is a joint partnership between the Macedon Ranges, Mitchell and Murrindindi Shires. Macedon Ranges Shire will be the lead agent.
The project is the Central Ranges Community Based Demand Aggregation Broker. The broker will work with individuals, businesses, councils and other broadband users to aggregate demand in their region and then attract the best mix of broadband service providers for local needs
The CRLLEN is working with Federal, State and Local government jurisdictions to identify the needs of communities, businesses and individuals across the CRLLEN area and develop strategies that will produce a coherent telecommunications strategy that will support increased investment, employment and education opportunities across the region.
The July 2003 meeting of the Ministerial Council for Education, Employment Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA) endorsed the National Bandwidth Action Plan – Learning in an online world 2003-06 as the basis for the development of the National Implementation Plan.
The National Implementation Plan 2004-05 provides the detail critical to realising the intent of the action plan, including identification of opportunities for collaborative work with the other education sectors and Commonwealth agencies. The plan is responsive to national and jurisdictional strategic policy initiatives and to changing market conditions. It recognises that increased connectivity and improved infrastructure are critical to maximising educational opportunities afforded by digital content and services.
The National Broadband Strategy announced in March 2004 addresses the recommendation of the Broadband Advisory Group that the Australian
Government adopts a coordinated approach to broadband in a national strategy. It provides funding for the:
A key element of the strategy is the appointment of the National Broadband Advisor for Education who will work closely with the school sector.
The National Implementation Plan 2004-05 leverages opportunities that flow to the school education sector from the National Broadband Strategy.
For the full story, follow this link.
Link: ICT strategy takes shape!.