Tuggerawong Public School

The Hon. CATHERINE CUSACK: My question without notice is directed to the Minister for Education and Training. Is she aware that Tuggerawong Public School is losing two demountable classrooms and a teacher because it failed to reach projected enrolments this year? Is she aware that school staff and members of the Teachers Federation have written to her department pointing out that her policy of reducing classroom numbers cannot be enforced after losing the two classrooms and a teacher? Is she also aware that the parents and citizens association has been waging a two-year battle to have the old toilets replaced following numerous failed attempts to stop offensive odours? Why is a lack of assistance from the Minister's department forcing the school to seek funding under the Federal Government's Investing in our Schools Program to build new toilets, rather than it being able to apply under this program for funding for other works such as new carpet and airconditioning? What action is the Minister taking to fix these problems?

The Hon. CARMEL TEBBUTT: The advice I have received is that departmental officers visited Tuggerawong Public School in April 2005 and met with the school principal to inspect toilets at the school. An officer from the department's local asset management unit also attended the school on 2 May 2005 to arrange for further maintenance. The Department of Commerce is currently obtaining quotations from the school facilities maintenance contractor on a number of options to improve the amenity of the toilets. The department will continue to work with the school to ensure that students at Tuggerawong Public School have access to a clean and safe environment.

With regard to the demountable issue I am pleased to inform the House that Tuggerawong Public School recently received new double modular design range [MDR] classrooms as part of this Government's class size reduction program. Two new permanent classrooms have been provided at the school for educational and support spaces. Modular design range classrooms are excellent. For example, a connecting wall adjoins two classrooms to an MDR to allow for classes to combine activities. There is also a withdrawal room to enable small group work or to provide a computer room. Following a review of enrolment numbers conducted at the start of 2005, two demountables have been identified for removal due to a decrease in expected enrolments.

I am aware that the school community submitted a request to retain one of the demountables that is additional to the school's accommodation entitlement. The school community proposed to retain this demountable for uses other than as a teaching space. I am advised that the department's demountable specialist committee reviewed the matter at the school's request and upheld the release of the demountable due to the need for it to be placed in another school for teaching purposes. The installation of the new double classrooms, the modular design range classrooms, means that the school will be able to achieve its class size reduction objectives. Modular design range classrooms were installed as part of the Government's class size reduction program. I point out once again that the Hon. Catherine Cusack raises issues in this House but does not provide us with all the facts.