Call for review of programme

The Australian Education Union (AEU) has called for a transparent review of the implementation of the Building the Education Revolution (BER) programme to examine issues that have arisen with the first rounds of implementation.

AEU federal president, Angelo Gavrielatos said the review should investigate:

• whether state/territory governments are maintaining their own effort in school maintenance and capital and the extent to which they are charging administration costs;

• the extent to which pro­jects will meet requirements that they will be available for community use;

• whether projects are informed by principles of environmental sustainability; and

• if costs are being inflated.

“It is about ensuring that, in the interests of our students and school communities, we realise the full potential of this significant investment in school infrastructure and the full economic stimulus benefit,” Mr Gavrielatos said.