A surge in public school enrolments has again highlighted the State Government’s lack of foresight, planning and funding for the public school system, according to Member for Davidson, Jonathan O’Dea.
For some time I have been lobbying the State Government to address the chronic shortage of facilities at Killara High School, where almost 1,500 students are crammed into an area less than half the size of most comparable high schools.
Now it appears the Government’s poor planning and inadequate funding of the public school system has spread, with reports that many other schools are also bursting at the seams in an effort to cope with demand.
“It highlights the ineptitude of a tired Labor Government,” Mr O’Dea said.
“It appears they didn’t believe their own advertising for the public school system – and if they did, why didn’t they better prepare for the demand?
“To compound the issue, the Government’s flawed planning policy has resulted in more people living along major thoroughfares, without the necessary infrastructure.
“This is particularly evident in Davidson, as highlighted by the difficulties facing Killara High School,” he said.
“Demand has reached such a point that the school now qualifies for 16 demountable classrooms, which are encroaching on what is left of the school’s open space.
“Demountables must never become the solution,” Mr O’Dea said.
“Maintenance of permanent infrastructure must also be addressed.
“Parents who choose the public school system, have every right to expect their children will be taught in appropriate conditions,” he said.
“The increase in public school enrolments highlights the long standing need to address the lack of school facilities and the increased urgency to properly fund the public school system for our children,” Mr O’Dea concluded.
