Students in pop-up schools as classroom shortage looms

THOUSANDS of children will take their lessons in temporary pop-up schools throughout Sydney because of the dire shortage of classrooms.

THOUSANDS of children are being forced to take lessons in makeshift buildings all over Sydney as schools launch urgent building programs to cope with a dire classroom shortage and a predicted baby boom.

Pop-up classrooms are being erected on sports fields and other school areas as more than 120 new or upgraded permanent schools are built over the next four years to accommodate an explosion in student numbers.

Sean, Supitsara, Phylicia and Aretha inside the Ultimo Public pop-up school at Wentworth Park.

With a once-in-a-generation 21 per cent spike in public school enrolments by 2031 — around 164,000 extra children — authorities have ordered the largest education construction program in NSW’s history.

Pop-ups, high-rise schools and deals with local councils giving students access to public parks are all being used as Sydney runs out of space.

A mini-baby boom that started around 2006 is affecting secondary schools this year and local births coupled with migrant arrivals mean hundreds more classrooms are needed each year.

In addition, thousands of first home buyers are moving into apartments because they can’t afford stand-alone houses amid Sydney’s housing price boom, increasing population density in some areas — putting more pressure on local schools.

A 14-classroom air-conditioned pop-up school next to Wentworth Park greyhound track already is home to 295 students from Ultimo Public School.

The temporary school takes advantage of open space at Wentworth Park. Picture: Justin Lloyd

The 14-classroom air-conditioned school is next to the existing greyhound track. Picture: Justin Lloyd

They will be there for the next two years. Built in just seven months, compared to years for a conventional school, the campus includes a library, canteen, outdoor play area and even a vegetable garden for students.

The new Ultimo Public School being built across the road is due to open in 2020.

Pop-up schools already are operating or set to open at Rainbow St in Sydney’s eastern suburbs and Russell Lea in the inner west.

Penshurst Public School will also be relocated into a pop-up school for two years from 2019.

Education Minister Rob Stokes said the upheaval would allow the government to “renew and reshape many of our ageing schools and create world-class classrooms”.

“Our schools are evolving in design to accommodate rapidly increasing enrolments in a growing global city,’ he said.