Tuesday’s state budget contained $3.5 billion for new schools and upgraded classrooms,including 14 primary and high schools to cater for the surging population in Sydney’s central west and outer western suburbs.
Cammeray Public School will be upgraded as part of an investment in new and updated schools and classrooms.James Brickwood
The government confirmed a new secondary school for Leppington and Denham Court will have a partially selective intake,but a school in the south-west growth corridor – – will be abandoned.
A fully selective Leppington school was first announced before the state budget in June 2019. The decision blindsided parent and principal groups at the time,and prompted fierce criticism from former education minister Adrian Piccoli over concerns it would further segregate high-achievers and increase disadvantage in the public comprehensive system.
NSW has 48 fully and partially selective schools,more than 10 times any other state or jurisdiction,with most clustered in inner Sydney and the north-western suburbs. Demand for the top-achieving schools is surging and outstripping availability,with about 17,200 students competing for 4200 spots this year. Another 4000 students are on reserve lists for 2024 entry.
The government said instead of proceeding with a fully selective school,which was planned to be built adjacent to Leppington train station,it would invest in a partially selective high school in the area. A spokesperson for School Infrastructure NSW said a site is being finalised and will be completed by 2027. It is unclear how many students it will enrol and the proportion of places that will be set aside under the intake.
Eagle Vale High in the south-west,which has about 500 students,will receive a selective sports stream,making it the state’s eighth specialist sports high school.
The budget also included $770 million for new high schools at Jordan Springs;Schofields and Tallawong;Gregory Hills and Gledswood Hills;and Melrose Park,and a primary school for Sydney Olympic Park at the Carter Street precinct. The government also flagged plans for three new primary schools at Huntlee,West Dapto and Calderwood.
Another $1.4 billion over four years has been allocated to build and upgrade schools in regional NSW,including a new permanent high school for Googong,an expansion of Jerrabomberra High in the south-west,a new high school at Medowie and an upgrade to Vincentia High.
The government said it will invest a total $3.5 billion over four years for new schools and upgrades. However,opposition education spokesperson Sarah Mitchell said multiple planned upgrades and schools had already been allocated funding under the previous government.
“Popular school infrastructure programs such as the cooler classrooms initiative,the LED lighting upgrade program and the smart energy schools pilot have also been axed,” Mitchell said.
Other upgrades allocated in the budget include replacing demountables with permanent classrooms at Cammeray,Kogarah and Northmead public schools,and upgrades at The Ponds High and Northmead Creative and Performing Arts High.
About $769.3 million has been allocated for 100 new preschools on public school sites,with the government confirming some of the first pre-schools will be built alongside new schools at Sydney Olympic Park’s Carter Street Precinct,Gables and Liverpool’s Gulyangarri Public.
Parents and carers will also receive $500 a year in preschool fee relief for eligible three-year-old children in long daycare,at a cost of $64 million over two years.
NSW Education Minister Prue Car said the government is addressing declining education outcomes exacerbated by teacher shortages and neglected schools.
“The government is increasing investment in our schools,TAFEs and public preschools to provide the public education system that our growing communities need,” Car said.
The state’s private and Catholic schools also received $17 million over the next year for new classrooms under the Building Grants Assistance Scheme,which directs funds considering fees and demographics.
In 2019,the former Coalition government announced a record $500 million boost over four years for building projects and maintenance at non-government schools.
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