What is PCAP?

PCAP is an Australian Government funded program which 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 funding 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.

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.

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 Country Areas Programme (CAP) provides support additional to that provided by State and Northern Territory education authorities and schools to address this issue.

Historically, the Country Areas Program arose out of the Disadvantaged Schools Program and was developed as a separate program after recognition that the social, cultural and educational experiences of rural students are different from those of their urban counterparts and while socio-economic factors may contribute to this difference/disadvantage, they are not confined to rural areas.

PCAP in the North-West, which commenced in 1979, with a small amount of funding, has made a significant difference to the educational outcomes of geographically isolated students.

It is also widely acknowledged that rural and remote communities consistently demonstrate their capacity to identify and solve problems, when provided with appropriate support and resources.

The PCAP Program goals are to ensure decisions are made as close as possible to the communities in which the activity will take place.

Please click here if you wish to download the PCAP Online Submission Manual. (PDF Document).

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