Schools grappling with at-risk, disadvantaged and disruptive children will benefit from a series of initiatives. But the basic school funding framework remains unchanged, and a 1.6 per cent increase in operating grants will not impress schools.
The tertiary sector has been all but ignored. The major initiative is $25 million to hook all schools up to the Internet by next year.
A further $21.7 million will pay for students who have been expelled or suspended to attend alternative learning centres.
Other initiatives include:
* $4.5 million to put social workers in another 175 primary schools.
* An extra $18.9 million over three years for early childhood education.
* $1.3 million for more Pacific Island teachers.
* $20.4 million for School Support.
* $5.9 million boost for Special Education 2000.
* $1.3 million to prevent bullying in schools.
A $100 million boost to the school property programme will add 200 primary and 80 secondary classrooms to meet growth, while five new schools are due to open in 2004. - Theresa Garner
EDUCATION: Schools will stay unimpressed
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