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Parents unanimous on school shortage

Parents unanimous on school shortage

Local parents from Southbank and Port Phillip have made their feelings clear about the region’s growing schools crisis in a recent survey.  

Conducted by education lobby group TwoSchoolsNow, a resounding 97 per cent of respondents to the survey called for additional school capacity for the area.

The results follow September’s public education forum in Port Melbourne, where Labor MP Martin Foley, Liberal candidate Shannon Eeles and Greens candidate David Collis heard the frustration of more than 60 local parents reach boiling point.

99 per cent of the 415 respondents also stated that local schools did not have the capacity to accommodate new enrolments as a result of new high-density residential developments.

The survey was also an endorsement of Victoria’s state schools, with 91 per cent of parents stating that they planned to send their child to a public school.

TwoSchoolsNow’s treasurer Martin Lawrence said the survey results were a true reflection of the local community’s lack of confidence in planning processes.

“What the survey results show is the frustration of parents and the need for quick action to meet the surge in student numbers in the Port Phillip and Southbank areas for both primary and secondary schools,” he said.

“We also need some foresighted planning to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Given the high levels of concern over access to state education found in the survey, 75 per cent said increased public school capacity would be very important in them deciding how to vote at the November state election.

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