 |
Legislative
Council |
|
 |
||
| Mike Elliott Leader Australian Democrats Member of the Legislative Council |
Parliament Index |
|
|
Legislative
Council |
|
|
||
| Mike Elliott Leader Australian Democrats Member of the Legislative Council |
Parliament Index |
|
The Hon. M.J. ELLIOTT: I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Treasurer, representing the Minister for Education, a question about the Stirling East Primary School.
Leave granted.
The Hon. M.J. ELLIOTT: Parents of children at the Stirling East Primary School have contacted me and provided a number of details of matters that are causing them concern. They also brought to my attention an article that appeared in the Mount Barker Courier . That article, titled `School upgrading knock back', voices the outrage of the parents and school council members of the Stirling East Primary School who have had their request for a major upgrade of school facilities refused yet again. In fact, I understand that the request has been refused over at least four years, if not longer. The refusal raises concern that the school's decision not to join Partnerships 21 might have had an impact on the minister's decision not to approve the upgrade.
A spokesperson for the minister is reported as saying that the school's failure to join Partnerships 21 had nothing to do with the decision, rather that other projects were identified as having a higher priority, yet the details of the situation cast serious doubt over this explanation. The Stirling East Primary School is the largest primary school in the district, with more than 400 students. For each of the last four consecutive years, the school council has requested $2 million to replace the dilapidated junior school buildings which house the five to seven year olds. The ceilings of these buildings are in such a poor state that, during stormy weather, water leaks into the building, often damaging school bags and personal belongings.
The situation is most dangerous in the computer room where, I am told, water often runs down electrical cabling, collecting in pools of water around the computer equipment. The department's response to this situation has been to provide $60 000 over the past two years for ceiling maintenance; however, the ceilings have continued to deteriorate as a result of water penetration to such a state that, despite being repaired many times, the problems recur. The state government espouses the benefits of greater parent participation through school management. I note that in this case the school, through the school council, is seeking assistance from the government.
At best, it is a failure of the minister to practise what he preaches and, at worst, it is a case of `if you join Partnerships 21, you will secure the upgrade that you want'. My questions are:
1. Will the minister explain what projects are of higher priority than protecting the health, welfare and safety of the students of Stirling East Primary School by approving the repeated requests from parents for an upgrade of the building?
2. Will the minister confirm that several weeks ago the principal was advised by a departmental representative not to use minor grant moneys to repair ceilings as a stop- gap measure?
3. Is the minister aware of the outrage of the Stirling East Primary School community over the continued refusal for funding? I understand that the community is so angered that an invitation to the local member to open the recent open day at the school was withdrawn.
4. Will the minister explain how his riding roughshod over the wishes of the school community and refusing repeated requests for a major school upgrade is compatible with his support for local school management?
The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer): I will refer those questions to my colleague in another place and bring back a reply.
See Government Response (13 March 2001)
