Lawnton State School and Dayboro State School are among 131 state schools to benefit in the first round of the Queensland Government’s $60 million Solar and Energy Efficiency in State Schools Program.

State Member for Pine Rivers, Carolyn Male MP said the program was being rolled out across Queensland after a recent successful trial.

“The program will see solar panels and energy efficient lighting installed in schools across the state,” Carolyn Male said.

Carolyn Male said 463 jobs were expected to be created state-wide over the life of the project.

“This program is another way in which the Bligh Government is meeting its commitments to creating jobs for Queenslanders and making this a greener state,” Carolyn Male said.

“Queensland schools will use the state’s abundant sunshine to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.”

“This will help reduce greenhouse gases and tackle climate change.”

Glynnis Gartside, Dayboro State School Principal, is pleased with the addition of a new teaching tool for the school, “Our students study environmental sustainability and will be very interested to see the contribution that solar power can make to the energy used at school.”

The program will be progressively rolled out over the next two years, with all state schools and environmental and outdoor education centres expected to be outfitted by June 2011.

For more information visit the Department of Education and Training website at http://education.qld.gov.au/facilities/solar/partnership.html.