By MICHELLE HERBISON
MP Ian Trezise has urged State Government in parliament to fund a “very important” master plan to upgrade Geelong High School.
The Member for Geelong said the previous Labor government approved funding for the plan in 2010 but the coalition had been “absolutely mute” on the issue since comeing to power.
“I acknowledge it took the former government a number of years before it approved the plan, although it was eventually approved,” Mr Trezise said.
“At the time, the Liberal party and people like the now-member for South Barwon demanded that we do something. They had plenty to say when they were in opposition.”
Mr Trezise told parliament the upgrade would produce a “state-of-the-art school for decades to come”.
Geelong High principal Glenn Davey said the school’s teachers were confined to “old-fashioned single-class rooms” contrary to modern teaching practices.
“We’re trying to teach 21st Century practice in 20th Century buildings. There are cracks in the walls and an awful smell because of dampness so it’s just not a particularly healthy environment,” Mr Davey said.
“Even though we have outstanding teachers, our well-behaved kids are being forced to learn in conditions that are not ideal.”
The Independent reported last month that Education Minister Martin Dixon said State Government would spend $51.5 million on urgent maintenance at more than 200 schools.
His comments followed an Auditor General finding that an outstanding maintenance bill of more than $93 million for Barwon South West schools was double any other education department region in Victoria.
Mr Dixon said in his parliamentary response to Mr Trezise that he was “well aware” of Geelong High’s situation.
“The previous government approved the plan … as with 200 other schools around the state to keep communities quiet for a while. I have looked in every nook and cranny around the department but the previous government did not leave any money for the 200 schools that it approved master plans for.”
Mr Dixon said the Government would consider Geelong High’s master plan in budget deliberations.
“Obviously we have to prioritise matters within our budgets.”
