4 December 2015
The Melbourne Labor Government has refused a request to provide a mod 5 portable/relocatable classroom to cater for Tongala Primary School’s increasing student enrolments.
Leader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains met with school council members today to distribute a petition protesting against this unfair decision.
Mr Walsh said that in government he was proud to officially open the new Tongala Primary School in September 2013.
“The fantastic new building provided five excellent teaching and learning spaces that catered for for 125 students by the Department of Education calculations.”
“The School Council at that time took the initiative to refurbish a very old portable which was on site. From their own funds they repainted it built a decking and refurbished the classroom for use as a purpose built art and library area “ Mr Walsh said.
The school will begin the 2016 year with an enrolment of 150 students.
The Melbourne Labor Government has refused a request for additional facilities to cater for the increased enrolment arguing that the school must use its refurbished portable as a general classroom.
“It is difficult to understand the department’s decision which essentially means that the students of Tongala Primary school will not have art and library facilities “ Mr Walsh said.
“If Daniel Andrews is serious about making Victoria the “Education State” then he should not be penalising small country schools.”