PCAP is currently reviewing the eligibility criteria for funding from 2010.

This report formed a part of the consideration of the new model: 

PCAP Alternative Eligibility Model Investigation

The Eligibility Reference Group determined that the model required extra criteria to address two anomalies:

• The exclusion of the locations of Mt Isa and Cloncurry which are considered remote enough to receive extra vacation time (situated north of 16 degrees south latitude and west of 144 degrees east longitude); and
• The inclusion of geographic areas where there is a density of available services to enhance the educational opportunities for young people.

Feedback from each PCAP Area is to be collated for consideration by the State Council at its next meeting on 28 October 2009.

 ABOUT PCAP

PCAP is intersystemic, community based and jointly administered by Education Queensland and the Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC). This intersystemic partnership was developed to provide a consolidated approach in rural and remote communities and facilitate the development of collaborative local responses to student needs.

The Australian Government recognises that students attending primary and secondary schools in geographically isolated areas have less access to educational opportunities than metropolitan students. The Priority Country Areas Program (PCAP) provides support additional to that provided by education authorities and schools to address this issue.

Objective

PCAP aims to help schools and school communities improve the educational outcomes and opportunities of students who are educationally disadvantaged because of their geographical isolation so that their learning outcomes match those of other students.

PCAP is available for projects that would enhance the educational achievements and increase the opportunities and choice available to students disadvantaged by geographical isolation.

Target group

Students who are attending primary and secondary schools in geographically isolated areas who are educationally disadvantaged by their geographic isolation. Note, students in preschool or prepatory levels are not eligible for support.

Eligibility

Funding is available to government and non-government primary and secondary schools located in geographically isolated areas, or distance education facilities servicing these areas.

Projects in special schools or schools with special units for students with disabilities that meet the above criteria are eligible for support.

Boarding schools which are not located in geographically isolated areas are not eligible for support.

Children in preschool or preparatory levels are not eligible for support under this program.

Use of Funds

PCAP provides additional funds to support geographically isolated students. Its purpose is to supplement the education provided by schools. The Australian Governments contribution through PCAP is supplementary to funding provided by education authorities to support quality learning outcomes. PCAP funds are not to be used as a substitute for funding resources or services, which are the responsibility of education systems, other agencies or providers. PCAP funds are intended to enable projects to meet the particular needs of rural students and are not intended to replace funding that would normally be provided to schools.

PCAP funds are available for projects which support:

Curriculum enhancement

Accessing activities which complement, support and enrich the curriculum for geographically isolated primary and secondary school students such as:

• Excursions where the cost component associated with geographic isolation may be supported
• Provision of support for subjects such as Languages Other Than English (LOTE), Music, Sports and HPE, Arts, etc.
• Additional costs associated with activities which support secondary students in making the transition to further education, training and work (post school pathways) including VET in schools and work experience
• Information and Communication Technology.  Providing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to enable geographically isolated students to be confident, creative and productive users of the new technologies, particularly ICT and understand the impact of these technologies on society. PCAP's role is to enhance education system responsibilities in the application of technology to teaching and learning.

Professional Development

Professional development and support which address particular development needs of teachers in geographically isolated areas. The provision of professional support may help to attract and retain teachers. Given that responsibility for professional development of teachers rests with State education authorities/schools and that the Australian Government makes a significant contribution to the professional development of teachers through the Australian Governments Quality Teacher Program, projects in this area would need to demonstrate they are a necessary addition to what is the usual responsibility of the education authority/school.

School Support

Where sectoral costs associated with PCAP program development and delivery (for example, salary costs of professional staff such as PCAP co-ordinators and advisors) are necessary for the effective delivery of PCAP, these should be treated as projects and must be identified as separate projects with outcomes.

Purchase of Tangible Items

Where a school can satisfy itself that the purchase of equipment (such as a computer, musical instruments, tools, library books etc) is consistent with the purpose of the Program, it may expend up to $5,000 on such items. These must be identified in the Schedule of PCAP Projects but do not require prior agreement from the Australian Government.

• PCAP funds may be used for the purchase of capital items. For items of $5,000 or over, recipients must keep a register of assets in the a specific format - contact the appropriate PCAP Coordinator for full details.
• The register of tangible assets must be available for inspection by the Commonwealth's Department of Education Science and Training (DEST), if requested.
• PCAP supplementation funds may be used for any projects that are consistent with the objectives and purposes of the PCAP program as set out in the Act and Guidelines. Where PCAP projects cost more than was anticipated at the time the PCAP Electronic Schedule was provided to DEST, PCAP supplementation may be used to defray those additional costs.

Administration

• Government and non-government education authorities are responsible for detailed administration of the Program. In Queensland this is the inter-systemic group known as the PCAP State Council.
• Allocation of the federally provided funds occurs according to the national program objectives, on a transparent basis and with appropriate targeting, including arrangements for consulting with and ensuring the participation of key stakeholders in the planning and delivery of the Program.
• Appropriate accountability lies with the PCAP State Council and Area Management Committees.

In selecting activities for PCAP funding, the following needs to be considered:

• To ensure flexibility, projects may vary in size according to the number and needs of students.
• Projects should be regularly reviewed to ensure effectiveness. A balance must be achieved between new and recurrent projects so that PCAP remains innovative and dynamic, building on existing best practice and developing innovative approaches.
• Projects should be complementary to the curricula and be part of an integrated approach to improving learning outcomes.
• Projects should promote the importance of education to parent and community groups and foster the involvement of parents, communities and community agencies.
• Where possible the funds should be maximised by the effective utilisation and sharing of local resources across school communities to supplement, complement and develop PCAP initiatives.

Click here for more information about PCAP or PCAP contact details

PCAP Contact Details:

Anne-Marie Ward
State Coordinator
PCAP
PO Box 4115
Rockhampton Q 4700

Phone: (07) 49272889
Mobile: 0400 272 884
e-mail: a.ward@pcap.org.au

Click on the links below for more information:

PCAP: Priority Country Area Program

• PCAP Areas
• Map of PCAP Areas
• Central PCAP
• Northern PCAP
• North West PCAP
• South West PCAP

Promotion of PCAP

The promotion of information to inform PCAP school communities including the evaluation, documentation and dissemination of information regarding program activities with emphasis, as appropriate, on best practice.

Note that it is a requirement that all information dissemination including information on State education authority websites include acknowledgement that PCAP is an Australian Government initiative that is managed by an intersystemic group.

Information to be provided to the Australian Government

The PCAP State Council and its Area Management Committees must submit an Electronic Schedule of PCAP projects at the beginning of each year being funded.

The PCAP Electronic Schedule will, among other things, identify each school receiving PCAP funding along with a short description of the proposed project/s, intended outcomes and costs of the project/s.

Where cluster or district projects are planned, the Electronic Schedule will identify the schools in the cluster or district as well as the project type, description, intended outcomes and funding.

Where State-wide projects are planned, the Electronic Schedule will identify project type, description, intended outcomes and funding. Electronic Schedules will fully commit the initial allocation of Australian Government funding for the year.

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Lilly Hole, WINTON
QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA
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