The Federal Government has commenced a $480.5 million initiative that will decentralise decision-making in schools. The Empowering Local Schools Initiative is handing over responsibilities of financial and budget management to school boards and principals.
Up to 1,000 Catholic, public and independent schools across the country will participate in the first phase of the initiative over 2012 and 2013.
Federal Education Minister Peter Garrett stated: “I'm very committed to supporting the states as they roll-out empowerment and providing greater decision-making opportunities for principals in the schools, that's why we're committing nearly half a billion dollars.”
So far, it has been announced that the initiative will be adopted to operate in 229 New South Wales schools, 179 Queensland schools, 22 Tasmanian schools and over 60 South Australian Schools.
NSW Education Minister Adrian Piccoli said that schools will have a greater say over infrastructure decisions, including being able to hire local contractors and make better use of local tradespeople and businesses. Mr Piccoli added that schools will control about 70% of their budget, up from just 10%.
The initiative will bring more autonomy to decision-making in schools. As the policy is implemented businesses looking to target schools will experience how principals and IT managers in schools have a greater say in how their money is spend.
For more A-ZGovBIZ news on Empowering Local Schools, read our news wrap about the initiative in NSW. If you want to reach key business decision-makers in schools, check out our list of Decision-makers in Schools.
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