NSW Minister for the North Coast Don Page today announced that the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has allocated $1.4 million in funding for education in the Clarence electorate.

Speaking at the Grafton Campus of North Coast TAFE, Mr Page said the funding allocated by his Ministerial colleague, Education Minister Adrian Piccoli, was great news for education at primary, secondary and tertiary level in the Clarence electorate.

“The NSW Government has delivered an extra $1.4 million to local schools and TAFE to tackle Labor’s maintenance liability and infrastructure backlog,” Mr Page said.

At the Grafton Campus of North Coast TAFE, the NSW Government will spend $998,000 on office space for electrical engineering teachers and multi-purpose hospitality facilities.

South Grafton High School will receive an extension to its administration block at an estimated cost of $300,000. The NSW Government is also contributing $31,450 towards the cost of covered walkways at the school.

The NSW Government is contributing $10,890 for the upgrade of the oval at Corindi Public School. The total cost of this project is estimated at $21,780.

At Casino High School work to replace roof sheeting, gutters and downpipes will be undertaken at an estimated cost of $60,000.

At Broadwater Public School an upgrade to storm water drainage will be done at an estimated cost of $15,000.

Casino High School and South Grafton High School will also each receive Student Support Officers in 2012, who will increase support for students, particularly through their challenging secondary years, Mr Page said.

“The Student Support Officers will work closely with school counsellors, work alongside other staff members and with students’ families, and assist in establishing links with community organisations and agencies such as Police, NSW Health and non-government organisations,” Mr Page said.

“This $1.4 million in funding is spread across many educational facilities in the Clarence electorate and will help cover the cost of a range of urgently-required projects and staff allocations, confirming the NSW Government’s commitment to the students, teachers, schools and colleges of the region.”