The Rudd Government’s Education Revolution is about providing a world class schooling system that develops the talents of abilities of each student.

Janelle Saffin is a passionate believer in the value of a good education and she wants all the schools in Page to be great schools.

Striving for excellence in schools means recognising the importance of teachers and supporting them so they can excel, ensuring students have access to a fi rst-rate national curriculum and enhancing new technologies.

The Government recently increased funding for its Digital Education Revolution to more than $2 billion to cover the costs of providing computers in schools for students in years 9 to 12 .

Janelle with St Mary's High School vice captain Bill Roache.

Already 15 secondary schools in Page have received funding totalling $2.47 million in the first round of the National Secondary School Computer Fund.

This round was based on need. Other schools will benefi t from future funding rounds and the aim is for every student in years 9 to 12 to have access to a computer at school.

Other funding boosts for education in Page include:

• $5.2 million in infrastructure funding Southern Cross University.
• Funding for 70 additional Commonwealth supported higher education places at Southern Cross University (45 Nursing places and 25 places in Early Childhood Education).
• $2.3 million for refurbishment at Casino TAFE College, and $396,000 for construction at Ballina TAFE College.

In the latest part of its Education Revolution, the Rudd Government’s has announced:

• $550 million to improve teaching,
• $540 million for literacy and numeracy
• $1.1 billion for disadvantaged schools.

As well, Government primary schools are to receive an additional $635 million over the next four years as part of the new National Education Agreement with the states.

Janelle with students from Southern Cross K-12 School in
East Ballina.

Universal access to early childhood education

The Rudd Government is investing $2.4 billion over fi ve years to deliver:

• Assistance to working families meet higher costs of living by increasing the Child Care Tax Rebate (CCTR) from 30% to 50% of out of pocket costs to a maximum of $7,500. The rebate will now also be paid quarterly and is not means tested.
• Universal access to 15 hours-a-week, 40 weeks-a-year of affordable, quality early learning programs, delivered by a four-year university-trained teacher, for all Australian children in the year before school.
• A National Quality Framework for early childhood education and care including National Quality Standards, a ratings system, an Early Years Learning Framework and streamlined accreditation and licensing.
• Initiatives to increase the supply and upgradethe skills and qualifications of the early years workforce.