- Published:
- Wednesday 13 July 2016
Students in West Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley are a step closer to having the facilities they deserve thanks to the Andrews Labor Government’s $21 million investment in new schools and campus upgrades in the region.
Minister for Education James Merlino and Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing today visited five local schools that will benefit from this record investment in school infrastructure.
Mr Merlino turned the first sod to mark the start of construction on the new Morwell Park Primary School, which will include new classrooms, a library, arts and music spaces.
Mr Merlino and Ms Shing also visited Drouin Secondary College, Warragul Regional College, Ellinbank Primary School and Baringa Special School in Moe to discuss plans for school upgrades.
Students at these schools will benefit from more than $13 million in funding for school upgrades announced in the recent state budget.
Drouin Secondary College received $4.5 million, Warragul Regional College received $5.8 million and Ellinbank Primary School received $60,000.
Baringa Special School also received $3 million as one of 20 special schools across the state deemed in the worst condition and prioritised for modernisation funding.
The schools will now talk to students, teachers and the local community to decide how they best spend the funding.
The Labor Government is building the Education State in West Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley so that every local student gets the opportunity for a great education and every community has access to a great school.
The Labor Government invested a record $1.1 billion to build new schools and upgrade classrooms in the recent Victorian Budget 2016/17, as well as $200 million to better maintain existing school facilities.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
“A high-quality education system must be matched by high-quality learning environments where students are engaged, stimulated and encouraged to be creative thinkers.”
“That’s why we’ve invested more than $21 million to upgrade schools in West Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley so local students have access to a great local school and can reach their full potential.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing
“This is a record budget for schools in Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley and will ensure more students around the region get the facilities they deserve.”
“It’s exciting to see construction start at Morwell Park Primary School and planning get underway at Baringa Special School, Warragul Regional College, Ellinbank Primary School and Drouin Secondary College.”