NSW public schools forced to build demountables for overcrowding
The demands of heavy population growth are starting to show on newly built public schools across the state, forcing administrators to bring in permanent demountables.
NSW
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Demountable classrooms are being placed in schools that have only recently been built as demand for places in Sydney’s fastest growing suburbs outstrips the original plans.
More than a hundred public schools in the state have more than 10 demountables each to deal with the surging capacity, the latest Department of Education data reveals.
Wentworth Point Public School has five demountables parked permanently on the playground to cater for the extra 100 students it has over its official enrolment capacity of 416 students, just three years after it was officially opened.
Local property developer Rick Graf said The Department of Education had promised a school for 1000 students but ultimately built a school for just 400 students.
But a Department spokeswoman said the government only committed to funding for a 400-student school.
“It is sad and very disappointing that School Infrastructure NSW is not keeping up with population growth for schools,” Mr Graf said.
Basil Miranda, whose daughter Madison is in Year 2 at the school, said there was little room for children to run around at lunchtime.
“They filled up 20 per cent of the grass with demountables … in four years there will be no grass space available,” he said.
“The kids need a grass area and places to run around.’’
In other fast-growing areas of Sydney like Riverbank Public at The Ponds, the school has 1740 students, putting it at more than 900 students over its enrolment cap of 832. It has a whopping 42 demountables — just five years after it opened.
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According to the School Infrastructure website, the school was completed in January this year and will cater for the 4200 homes built in that suburb.
Similarly, Oran Park Public is more than 500 pupils over its official capacity, with 1594 students, and has 27 demountables just six years after it opened in 2014.
Labor education spokeswoman Prue Car accused the state government of approving developments when it clearly knew there were not enough schools for them.
“Right across Sydney, from Oran Park to The Ponds, we have new schools bursting at the seams and playgrounds filled with demountables,” she said.
“There are now hundreds of overcapacity schools flooded with demountables, including 20 primary schools with more than 1000 students each in Sydney alone.
“The Liberals know how many families are moving into Sydney’s suburbs because they’re approving the developments, and they’re still not building enough schools. This is an overcrowding crisis of the Liberals’ own making.”
The Department of Education spokeswoman said the government had opened 89 new or upgraded schools since January last year and said demountables helped schools accommodate a surge in the student population.
“The department monitors population trends to plan for future enrolment demand and uses numerous strategies to manage fluctuating enrolments in the short to medium terms,” she said.