SA school build program on edge of being ready for year 7s in 2022

Thousands of year 7s move to secondary schools in 2022. The opposition warns schools may not be ready. The department disagrees.

Secondary schools are at risk of not being ready for the double intake of year 7s and 8s next year, the state opposition says.

However, the Education Department has assured families classrooms and facilities will be completed in time.

Much of the state government’s $1.3 billion school building program is aimed at creating the space and facilities to accommodate the extra students when the year 7 level moves from primary to secondary.

Opposition Education spokesman Blair Boyer said several teachers had told him they had been instructed to prepare to teach in makeshift classrooms at the start of next year.

“They’re being told to get ready to teach the first four weeks not in their usual classrooms,” he said.

“Or, they might not be able to teach a novel as they won’t have access to the library because in some cases it’ll be being used as a classroom.”

As reported previously, several schools have target completion dates for building programs close to the start of term 1 on January 31.

State budget papers list seven school building projects as due to be completed in the March quarter, but the department is confident essential spaces will be available.

Education Department chief executive Rick Persse.

Opposition education spokesman Blair Boyer.

“Public schools will be ready for year 7 moving into high school next year,” a department spokesman said.

“Due to unforeseen circumstances such as the collapse of SA Structural and Covid-19, we have adjusted time frames for the full delivery of some projects.

“All projects have been scheduled to prioritise completion of essential learning spaces.

“In most cases adjusted time frames will only affect spaces such as landscaping and carparks.”

SA Structural, which was contracted to supply steel to Glenunga International High and Roma Mitchell Secondary, was put into receivership in late January.

The schools have since found alternative suppliers.

In May, department chief executive Rick Persse was asked in state parliament’s budget and finance committee whether some schools would need to start the year teaching “in places like gyms, activity rooms or outdoor learning spaces?”

“No, I don’t think we will,” Mr Persse said.

Mr Boyer said many of the building schedules had already slipped by months.

“There’s still no clear line of sight on when they all will be finished,” he said.

SCHOOLS WITH A MARCH QUARTER COMPLETION TARGET

Glenunga International High School

Heathfield High School

Norwood Morialta High School

Playford International College

Roma Mitchell Secondary College

Seaton High School

Unley High School