Education Department denies overcrowding in schools

THE EDUCATION Department has denied claims of overcrowding despite figures showing schools operating at more than 100 per cent capacity.

Department denies overcrowding is an issue in schools.

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The NSW Education Department has denied claims of overcrowding in local schools despite figures showing three at more than 100 per cent capacity.

According to figures obtained last week by the NSW Opposition, Plumpton House School is operating at 129 per cent capacity, while Rooty Hill and Colyton public schools are both at 104 per cent capacity.

An Education Department spokesman said the figures did not accurately reflect teacher to student ratio.

“Plumpton House School has enough teaching spaces for the current enrolment of students,” he said.

“Rooty Hill and Colyton public school are both at 100 per cent utilisation.

“A 100 per cent ‘utilisation’ rate doesn’t mean a school cannot take any more students.

“It means all of the school’s teaching spaces, permanent and demountable, are utilised.”

The spokesman said the principal made the decision to have a school operate beyond capacity.

“For schools over 100 per cent utilisation, a decision has generally been made ... by the school principal to manage student enrolments within existing permanent spaces, instead of placing demountable classrooms on the school site.”

Mt Druitt state Labor MP Edmond Atalla said overcrowding was unfair to the teachers and students.

Rooty Hill Public School P and C vice-president Tracey Thomas said: “I’m not familiar with the report but I think the school is coping quite well. The school runs quite smoothly.”