Students in Port Melbourne will be forced into overcrowded classes with the Baillieu Government failing to invest in schools, Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews said today.
As more families move into the community, Port Melbourne Primary School is experiencing record enrolment levels – with projects showing student numbers will top 650 students in a few years.
PMPS Principal Peter Martin welcomes Daniel Andrews MP (left) and Martin Foley MP
Mr Andrews and Member for Albert Park Martin Foley visited Port Melbourne Primary School to meet with the school principal and school council representatives to discuss the impact growth is having on the school.
“The Baillieu Government’s failure to make education a number one priority is starting to hurt students and their families in Port Melbourne,” Mr Andrews said.
“Labor had a plan to find an additional campus for Port Melbourne Primary School and was committed to funding it in the 2011 Budget.
“Unfortunately, since coming to Government, Mr Baillieu has not committed to funding this important project.
“Failing to invest in our growing schools means students will be left in overcrowded classrooms. Students in Port Melbourne deserve better from the Baillieu Government.”
PMPS Principal Peter Martin discusses projected enrolments with Martin Foley MP
Mr Andrews also visited the St Kilda Youth Service training centre in South Melbourne to present certificates to Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning students graduating from the 2Faze program.
“VCAL provides students with an important hands-on alternative to VCE, but unfortunately the Baillieu Government has ignored its benefits and instead cut $50 million from the program.
Daniel Andrews MP presents graduates of the SKYS 2Faze program with their VCAL certificates
“In 12 months, the Baillieu Government has done nothing to support young Victorians get access to the best education.
“The Government has cut almost $500 million from the education budget, halved the capital works budget, and abandoned Labor’s plan to rebuild, renovate or refurbish every Victorian-government school by 2016-17.”
Daniel Andrews MP and Martin Foley MP talk to SKYS CEO Emma Crichton
Member for Albert Park Martin Foley called on the Baillieu Government to meet with the school community to hear their concerns.
“The Baillieu Government needs to make education a priority. If Mr Baillieu spends another 12 months doing nothing to address the growing enrolment numbers at Port Melbourne Primary School, the problems the school is facing will get worse.”
