Likely boost for schools

By Paul Dunlop
HOPE is building that new state schools are coming to Pakenham.
Hitting back at claims of a chronic shortage of statefunded schools in the fast growing community, Minister for Education and Training Lynne Kosky has indicated good news could soon be on the way.
Ms Kosky said in State Parliament recently that extra land had been bought in town to provide schooling facilities for the growing number of young families.
It is believed the site set aside for a school in the Heritage Springs estate is among the purchases with the possibility of another site elsewhere.
Ms Kosky’s comments came in the wake of local criticism over the lack of schooling facilities in Pakenham.
Parents, Cardinia Shire Council and local MPs have been pushing for months to improve a situation labelled as one of the town’s biggest problems.
Bass MP Ken Smith recently took the Minister to task, saying Pakenham’s two governmentfunded primary schools in Pakenham were 50 per cent over capacity.
Mr Smith said he had raised the need for a new primary school at Heritage Springs on several occasions.
“I understand the land was purchased (recently) and I trust the money for the school’s construction will be in this year’s budget,” Mr Smith said.
It is hoped a school at Heritage Springs could open as early as 2008.
Mr Smith said it would be full almost immediately upon opening.
Research has shown up to 500 young families living in newer areas of town could use a primary school at Heritage Springs.
There has not been a new statefunded school open in Pakenham for 10 years despite the town’s population doubling in that time.
Ms Kosky said the State Government was well aware of the needs of schools and would continue to make sure there were schooling facilities for young families in Pakenham and district.
“There is a planning process going on to make sure that there are adequate schools for the students in that area,” Ms Kosky said.
Mr Smith said Pakenham Secondary College also had a very large number of students and a new secondary college was needed.
“Funding should be made available for either a senior campus on the current site as well as a junior campus, or a new secondary college for years seven to 12 on a separate site somewhere in the Cardinia Shire,” Mr Smith said.