May – Updated Guidelines Released By MOE
The State Integrated Growth Initiative (SIGI) is a government-funded program providing $30 million over four years to support additional teaching spaces in state integrated schools located in high-growth population areas. It aims to address secondary school demand through capital funding involving Ministry ownership of facilities, differing from previous Policy 2 funding approaches.
SIGI funding purpose: It supports additional classrooms at state integrated schools in areas with significant school-age population growth to meet increasing demand.
Funding and management: The program allocates $30 million over four years, managed through SIGI, with unspent funds transferable to subsequent years.
Application process: Proprietors submit maximum roll increase (MRI) applications indicating if SIGI funding is needed, with the first round closing 30 June 2026 and decisions made in July 2026.
Eligibility criteria: Funding eligibility depends on school age population growth in specified high-growth areas, local network demand exceeding 90% capacity, projected demand surpassing capacity within five years, and a property plan for delivery within two years.
Delivery options: Approved projects can receive transportable classrooms provided and installed by the Ministry under long-term lease or suspensory loans covering 85% of construction costs, with the proprietor responsible for maintenance and insurance.
Transportables ownership and lease: The Ministry retains ownership of transportables, leasing them to proprietors for up to 20 years with potential lease renewal or removal of buildings after expiry.
Leasehold property eligibility: Schools on leasehold properties may participate if leases comply with integration agreements and Ministry guidelines, as the Ministry’s relationship is with the proprietor.
Funding scope and limitations: SIGI funding is intended for new classrooms aligned with population growth, not to address existing capacity shortfalls; proprietors must ensure accommodation matches maximum roll or seek to reduce it.
