MILDURA’S state MP has called on the Education Minister to visit the area to assess local needs for himself.
Using an adjournment debate to highlight Mildura West Primary School’s incomplete masterplan and a need for increased funds for the Clontarf Foundation, Member for Mildura Jade Benham invited Ben Carroll, who is also Deputy Premier, to make the trip here.
In a recent Facebook post, Ms Benham confirmed she had been in contact with the Deputy Premier’s office and the meeting had been “very positive”.
“Mildura West Primary is a wonderful school with terrific student outcomes and a supportive environment for parents, carers, teachers and students,” Ms Benham said in parliament.
“However, they do not have the modern flexible learning spaces conducive to learning in the 21st century.
“This is despite the department publishing not one but two masterplans, the latest being in 2018.
“We would like the minister to see first-hand the main learning space that is now full of white ants and is being held together by plywood craftboard.
“The active parents group are frustrated and are seeking a visit from the minister to see the situation first-hand and complete the masterplan as a matter of urgency.”
Ms Benham also asked the minister to visit the Mildura Clontarf Academy, which she said was doing its part to “close the gap” between Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents.
“The incarceration rate for 10-17-year-old Koori boys is 23.2 in 10,000 but over the last two years the incarceration rates of Clontarf boys has been zero,” she said.
“The education and employment outcomes are outstanding and, although enrolment is now at 320 and increasing every year, the state government’s supports remains stagnant at $540,000 – the same as it was in 2010 during inception, when enrolment was 128.
“We have incredible teachers and amazing schools in the Mildura electorate and I invite the minister to the region as soon as possible.”
