The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to ensure public schools across New South Wales are great places to learn and work, with tradies subbing in for teachers and students in classrooms to work on 1,200 vital maintenance and upgrade projects, across more than 800 public schools over the summer break.

This is part of the NSW Government’s historic $1.08 billion investment in minor works, which includes $600 million to deliver essential school maintenance projects.

These annual projects are essential for ensuring that schools are fit for purpose.

This year, NSW schools will see more than 3.4 million square metres of buildings painted and 46 Sydney Cricket Grounds worth of new floor coverings to be installed.

Work undertaken over this summer has included:

• $180,000 in carpet and vinyl flooring upgrades at Kensington Public School
• $3,000,000 to create a new special education learning unit at Lismore Heights Public School
• $730,000 to upgrade the science labs at Morisset High School
• More than $345,000 to upgrade metalwork classrooms at Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College
• $655,000 to demolish an aging Covered Outdoor Learning Area and replace it with a new facility at Terrigal Public School
• $237,000 to re-landscape and improve the school oval at St Helens Park Public School
• $221,000 to upgrade and refurbish the library at Sir Joseph Banks High School

While hundreds of schools will return to completed maintenance work on Day 1, Term 1 2025 there is still much more to be done.

The former Liberal National Government committed to clearing the school maintenance backlog, but instead allowed it to balloon.

As students and teachers head back to school in 2025, the Minns Labor Government will continue work to ensure that no matter the postcode, every family across the state has access to a quality, free public education with high quality, fit-for-purpose infrastructure.

Building, maintaining and improving essential services like public schools is part of our plan to build a better NSW.

Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns said:

“We are committed to ensuring that NSW public schools are quality places to work and learn.

“They may not be the most exciting upgrades, but they are essential to keeping our schools safe and running smoothly.

“We know there’s still work to be done, but it’s fantastic that hundreds of schools will be returning on day one to completed works.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“Our public schools are key to building better communities, and we are continuing work on our commitment to keep our schools and equipment in the good condition that our communities deserve.

“Since being elected, we have been working on a comprehensive plan to invest in and rebuild public education in NSW.

“This is not just about building new schools in communities where they are needed, but also ensuring that our schools are kept at a high standard with up-to-date facilities.”