Years four and six students at Balnarring Primary school exposed to toxic mould

Schoolchildren at Balnarring Primary School have been exposed to toxic mould, with parents “extremely concerned” about their children’s health and learning disruptions.

Students at Balnarring Primary School have been exposed to toxic mould.

Primary students at a state school in the Mornington Peninsula have been exposed to toxic mould with parents expressing concerns about their children’s health and disruptions to learning.

Parents of students at Balnarring Primary School say kids have had respiratory illnesses including asthma and a series of other health issues amid the serious mould problem.

Families have also said NAPLAN testing, which is due to start in two weeks, could be impacted by the closure of the senior Kirinari building for years four to six, where mould has been discovered.

Jess, whose daughter attends the school, said the building closure had seriously disrupted students’ learning and sparked health concerns for parents.

“This is a huge displacement and disruption to their learning, especially students in year five that have NAPLAN coming up, they’ve got none of their resources including laptops and pencil cases as they were left in the building,” she said.

“Other mothers have also expressed concerns about their child’s health, some students have had asthma and other issues.

Children have been suffering asthma symptoms.

The mould has led to classroom learning disruptions.

“We are really disappointed with the lack of action from the government and we feel like as parents that our calls are not being answered.

“The whole situation is extremely concerning. The kids need a learning environment, we need portable buildings as soon as possible.”

Other parents, with children in year four, have also complained on social media about their children’s health, saying the mould had caused asthma and headaches.

A Department of Education spokesman said mould had been discovered in a building at the school and children have been temporarily relocated to the main building.

“The VSBA is working closely with the school to address the issue.

“The health of our students is our top priority and steps have been taken to ensure classrooms at the school are safe.”

Opposition Education spokeswoman Jess Wilson said: “It’s totally unacceptable that children’s health and safety has been put at risk by the Department of Education’s failure to rectify the situation immediately.”

“Minister Carroll needs to step in to ensure swift action is taken so that children at Balnarring Primary have safe and hygienic classrooms to learn in,” she said.

It comes as University of Melbourne researchers Rebecca Bentley and Ang Li warned

mould was associated with a range of health issues, including increased risks of asthma, allergies, and respiratory infections and symptoms.

The World Health Organisation advises no level of exposure to mould can be considered safe for health.

ABS figures show that up to 14 per cent of households on the Mornington Peninsula report mould in their rental houses.

Work on the $10m new architect-designed facilities for Heatherwood Special School in Donvale had last year stalled, leaving staff and students with inaccessible facilities infested with mud and dangerous black mould.

The Herald Sun previously revealed calls from Sunshine College North Campus students to rebuild their school, which was falling apart, full of mould and unsafe.

In a video, pupils Frank and Bailey showed black mould on the bathroom windows and ceiling.

“The smell currently right now is horrid, we don’t use the toilets right now anymore because of the black mould, it’s not safe for a child to be in,” Bailey said.

Originally published as Years four and six students at Balnarring Primary school exposed to toxic mould