Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney said today that students in public schools across Geraldton are set to benefit from extra funding in school maintenance, and upgrades to computing technology.

The announcement today is on top of existing spending, and means in WA, over $170 million will be spent on maintenance alone in 2015-16.

Mr Blayney said the upgrades would ensure students and staff have the highest possible quality facilities for teaching and learning.

“Our public schools are world class, and these upgrades will make them even better,” said Mr Blayney.

The investment in technology will optimise bandwidth in all schools for teaching, learning and student research.

The award-winning Standard Operating Environment (SOE) will also be extended to a remaining 218 schools across the state.

“The SOE provides a framework for schools so student access to the internet is as safe and secure as possible using the latest in scanning and filtering techniques,” Mr Blayney said.

The state government will also match dollar-for-dollar the investment in ICT devices by primary schools up to a combined total of $20 million.

“I am incredibly pleased schools in Geraldton will be even better with this new investment,” Mr Blayney said.

All works will be completed by mid-2016.