The Victorian public remains in the dark as the State Government refuses to disclose a crucial report detailing the condition of schools across the state, including Lakes Entrance Primary School.
The latest ‘Condition Assessment Report’, sought through Freedom of Information, has been withheld from public scrutiny.
The Nationals’ Melina Bath, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Education criticised the State Government’s secrecy after dilapidated Gippsland schools had their committed funding cancelled this financial year.
“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 fit for purpose educational facilities 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.
“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.
Ms Bath is urging the government to release the data immediately to empower communities to monitor the allocation of maintenance funds and ensure accountability.
Ms Bath said blocking the report seems aimed at controlling reputation control and avoiding scrutiny over funding prioritises – a hallmark of the Labor’s penchant for
secrecy.
“Meanwhile local schools have outdated classrooms, libraries, bathrooms, and administration centres that fall well short of modern educational standards.
“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.”
