PROBLEMS with the condition of schools across Gippsland, including the Leongatha Secondary College and San Remo Primary School is being purposefully kept secret by the State Government.
That’s the view of Eastern Victoria MLC Melina Bath who has accused the government of keeping a crucial report detailing the condition of schools across the state from being made public.
She said the latest ‘Condition Assessment Report’, being sought through Freedom of Information, has been withheld from public scrutiny.
“A number of local schools need urgent upgrades, but Labor’s lack of transparency keeps the true extent of their condition hidden,” Ms Bath said.
“Our students, teachers and administrators deserve educational facilities that fit for purpose, that meet their needs.
“Unfortunately, after a decade under Labor, numerous schools continue to languish with substandard facilities.
“After receiving a 2022 election commitment from Labor promising an upgrade in 2024, the recent state budget shockingly left 29 schools unfunded,” Ms Bath said.
The Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Education criticised the government’s secrecy after dilapidated Gippsland schools had their committed funding cancelled this financial year.
“Impacted schools such as Drouin Primary School, Lakes Entrance Primary School, Leongatha Secondary College, and San Remo Primary School are all likely to feature in the education condition report.
“Others such as the Wonthaggi Primary School, where funding has only been confirmed for stage one of a needed three-staged modernisation upgrade, are also likely to be in the report.”
The education condition report provides an individual score for every Victorian school and reflects the state of classrooms, school buildings and facilities - it is supposed to be the basis for prioritising capital upgrades.
Melina Bath is urging the government to release the data immediately to empower communities to monitor the allocation of maintenance funds and ensure accountability.
She claimed blocking the report was all about reputation control and avoiding scrutiny over funding prioritises.
“Meanwhile local schools have outdated classrooms, libraries, bathrooms, and administration centres that fall well short of modern educational standards,” Ms Bath said.
“The Allan Government must release the data so communities can monitor where maintenance funding is directed and ensure accountability.
“Labor cannot manage money, cannot manage our education system and public school students are paying the price.”
