Page 2396 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 12 August 2014
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Let us get back to school initiatives, Madam Deputy Speaker. We know that the quality of the learning environment has a big impact on how well students learn. Accordingly we have provided focus funding for infrastructure and information and communication technology improvements. Capital funding of $81 million has been provided to improve physical infrastructure as well as information and communications technology.
The significant investment will enable the new state-of-the-art primary school to open in 2016 to serve the Molonglo valley community. Coombs Primary School was the first community facility in the valley. It will accommodate around 720 students, predominantly from Coombs and Wright. Master planning work for Belconnen High School initiated in the 2013 budget will be progressed through a further funding allocation of $250,000. Stage 1 works include building demolition, facilities upgrades and completion of master planning in consultation with the Belconnen schools and their communities.
I was at a private event last night and I spoke with a Belconnen high student who is very thrilled with the work and the opportunities. Work is already starting, I think, on the science and arts area and the administration there, and the student speaks very positively of those changes taking place within the school.
Also on the built form, Mr Doszpot made mention of a number of things. He made mention of asbestos at Birrigai and was quite dismissive of Education and Training’s response to questions on asbestos at Birrigai. The Birrigai site is managed by TAMS and the school is now clearly informed of the condition of the site. As I understand it, only two schools have chosen not to participate, not to go to Birrigai, but it is a well-regarded and a well-loved venue for schools, and ACT schools, both government and non-government, continue to use the site.
There is asbestos in our schools. There is no doubt and I think that is well understood. There are 69 ACT public schools and 22 childcare centres with a confirmed presence of asbestos, but each and every one of those schools has an asbestos management plan. I think they have been brought into the Assembly before. If not, they are available on the website and I encourage Mr Doszpot to have a look at them.
There was also a comment, again by Mr Doszpot, about Franklin. There was a question from Mrs Jones about the pathways from Franklin school into Harrison. The advice I have is that Harrison is indeed accepting, as it ought, schools—
Members interjecting—
MS BURCH: I am aware of the letter from the board but I am also aware that year 2 students currently at Franklin are going to Harrison and that those children are being accepted. I would say through you, Madam Deputy Speaker, if somebody is wrong it is probably Mr Doszpot.
Mr Doszpot interjecting—
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