Further Grants Benefit Manurewa Schools - George Hawkins

Manurewa MP George Hawkins has welcomed news that Manurewa schools have gained funding grants from the Government's Financial Assistance Scheme.

George Hawkins said the Ministry of Education has provided eight Manurewa schools with grants totalling $216,722. Additional to this, Manurewa schools boards of trustees contributions total $101,114. This means a total of $317,836 is being spent on school improvement projects in the electorate.

This funding is on top of the $2.17 million extra operational funding for Manurewa schools, as announced on August 17, and the one-off $314,290 payment to centrally funded schools as announced on March 29.

For example: * Finlayson Park School received $112,222 as announced on August 17 and has received a further $29,050 in today's announcement. * Hillpark School received $11,116 as announced on March 29, $49,831 as announced on August 17, and has received a further $3200 in today's announcement. * Homai School received $32,038 as announced on August 17 and has received a further $21,129 in today's announcement. * Roscommon School received $20,478 as announced on March 29, $134,422 as announced on August 17, and has received a further $24,302 in today's announcement. * Rowandale School received $69,639 as announced on August 17 and has received a further $9625 in today's announcement. * Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Manurewa received $5121.70 as announced on March 29, $29,535 as announced on August 17 and has received a further $4860 in today's announcement. * Weymouth Intermediate received $24,035 as announced on March 29, $138,531 as announced on August 17 and has received a further $90,860 in today's announcement. * Weymouth School received $24,930 as announced on March 29, $113,704 as announced on August 17 and has received a further $33,696 in today's announcement.

"There are some really exciting developments planned like Weymouth Intermediate's new modernised library, Rowandale School's new swimming pool changing shed, and Hillpark School's computer cabling for its junior school," George Hawkins said.

"It is excellent to see Manurewa schools benefiting from the assistance scheme. "I am excited to see Manurewa schools using the funding for information and communication technology and also improvements to playgrounds," George Hawkins said.

The Financial Assistance Scheme supports projects that are partly funded by the schools and communities. This year, the Government granted $22 million to the scheme with schools contributing $17 million.

Education Minister Trevor Mallard has announced that 880 school property improvement projects in 719 schools, ranging from upgraded classrooms to an auditorium, have been approved under the scheme.

He said the Financial Assistance Scheme is a feature of the Government's $403 million dollar works programme for schools for 2000/2001, which also pays for classrooms to meet roll growth, new schools and general modernisation of existing schools.

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