Minister urged to fix class overcrowding

CONCERNS about cramped conditions at Cardinia Primary School were raised in State Parliament last week by Bass MP Ken Smith.
In a call for action on an issue recently highlighted in the Gazette, Mr Smith said parents and teachers at the school were still waiting for long-promised improvements, including two new classrooms.
Mr Smith urged Education Minister Lynne Kosky to move in particular to address concerns over asbestos in one of the school’s classrooms.
“The accommodation at the school is totally inadequate for the rapid increase in student numbers,” Mr Smith said.
“This year the school has 137 students and only six teaching spaces.
“The new modular five classrooms would alleviate the current problem, but with 154 students so far for 2006 there is a dire need for more teaching rooms.
“The school has been forced into placing a cap of 150 on enrolments, but it has already reached 156 for next year.
“Of course, the surrounding schools are overcrowded.”
Mr Smith said Cardinia Primary was a great little school that offered quality education in a rural environment, but was feeling neglected and under great pressure.
A lack of teaching space, the poor quality portable rooms and the asbestos problem in the classrooms were chief among the school’s concerns, Mr Smith said.
He urged the minister to become involved in the problem and get the two modified classrooms installed before the start of the new school year.
“The school council president and the students’ parents have shown good faith over the years,” Mr Smith said.
“Now they are becoming very concerned.”
It is understood Department of Education and Training officials visited Cardinia Primary School last week to meet with staff.
A spokesman for Ms Kosky recently said the school had benefitted from more than $1 million in capital investments over the past five years.
The spokesman said any decision about additional investments would be judged – as was only fair – against statewide priorities.
He said the department was aware of the local situation.
“The Bracks Government has invested strongly in schools in the Cardinia Shire since 1999, to a total value of more than $24 million,” the spokesman said.