Schools should be community hubs: Foley

Schools will be paid a bonus if they open their grounds for after hours use, such as for parking during major events, under a NSW Labor government.

Opposition Leader Luke Foley said he would set up a $15 million facilities investment fund if elected premier at the March 28 election.

"I want our schools, as many of them as possible, to be community hubs, whether that's community language schools, whether it's signing practice," he told reporters in Sydney's west.

Mr Foley said while some schools were already hiring out facilities to colleges and child care centres, he wanted many more to offer their grounds to the community.

"The policy goal here is to ensure the best use of scarce land," he said.

The Labor leader stressed that schools wouldn't be compelled to sign up for the grants.

The plan could encourage schools to open their grounds to performing arts centres or make their parking spots available on weekends in congestion hot spots, he said.