Additional 40,000 students projected for Macarthur region schools
AN EDUCATION explosion is pending for the Macarthur region, with space required for a forecast 40,000 new students in the area by 2036.
Macarthur
Don't miss out on the headlines from Macarthur. Followed categories will be added to My News.
AN EDUCATION explosion is pending for the Macarthur region, with space required for a forecast 40,000 new students in the area by 2036.
The Department of Education projections, released in the Western City District Plan, estimate an additional 39,944 students will be enrolled at schools in the region within the next 18 years.
On average, more than 2200 new students are forecast to enrol in the Macarthur region each year.
Gregory Hills mother of two Rosie Canty said an air of uncertainty was already surrounding education options in our growth suburbs.
“It is growing too quickly,” she said. “I know there are several families who feel the same way, a mix of anxiousness and nerves. They want their children to go to a school where they won’t be lost (by the sheer number of students).”
Daughter Isabella, 5, attends a nearby private school and Mrs Canty felt she had no other choice considering other schools, such as Oran Park Public, are already over capacity.
“There was just too many kids and I didn’t want my kids to get lost in a sea of children,” she said.
“More than 10 classes for kindy is ridiculous. Where my children are now it is four (kindergarten classes) and when I went to primary school there was two.
“I don’t know how the Department of Education expects students to get good results and succeed. It is almost setting them up to fail.
“We are like a country town pretending to be a city.
“If they are serious about making it a little city then a lot needs to be fast-tracked, especially before the 40,000 new students come in.”
Camden state Liberal MP Chris Patterson said the region was well-equipped for its future education growth.
“I have no doubt we are in a good position,” he said.
“All I say is to hold our government to our track record. We are building more schools here than any other electorate and we will continue to do so. The next budget in a couple of months, you will see more money for schools in our area.”
Non-government schools are expected to shoulder a portion of the future student intake, with representatives currently investigating future strategic options.
“I spoke to representatives of Catholic and Anglican schools in recent weeks and the topic was future growth in the region and how I can help them,” he said. “I know both the Catholic and Anglican school bodies are very proactive.”
Campbelltown state Labor MP Greg Warren said the region was way off the pace when it came to providing new schools.
“There needs to be a serious review in terms of policy and the education infrastructure in our region,” he said. “It begins with the government acknowledging the seriousness of the issue.”
IN OTHER NEWS
