A Hoppers Crossing primary school that is using the foyer of its gym as a classroom is one of many schools suffering from space constraints due to Wyndham’s growing population.
Tarneit Liberal candidate Glenn Goodfellow said he had been astounded to see that Cambridge Primary School, which was designed for 550 pupils, had more than 1000 enrolled.
“To accommodate these students they are bringing in portable classrooms … [that] are placed on their oval and occupy the open space the students use to run and play,” he said.
“I was amazed to see that classes are also held in a foyer of a gym – surely this should not be happening in 2018.”
Cambridge Primary School was contacted for comment.
Mr Goodfellow said Cambridge was just one example of schools “busting at the seams” and relying on portable classrooms.
“While we need to build new schools, we seem to forget about the good schools that have been around for many years and require continuing support,” he said.
Tarneit Labor candidate Sarah Connolly said a reliance on portables was among many issues principals and school leadership teams in the Tarneit electorate had raised with her.
“I have spoken to certain schools about the number of portables they currently have and the need to invest in more permanent building structures,” she said. “I will work closely with these schools to ensure that these are delivered.
“The new schools Labor is building will look and feel different to the ones I attended.
“All new schools are designed so that they can grow with their communities, including through future upgrades and relocatable buildings.”
Greens candidate Beck Sheffield-Brotherton said she was concerned by the reliance on portable classrooms.
“Many of our schools are too large and the proliferation of portable classrooms is crowding school grounds,” she said.
She said that while it was unlikely she would be elected in the November state election, she would push for the re-election of western metropolitan MP Huong Truong.
“We need more parliamentarians who will push for fair, needs-based funding rather than throwing funds at marginal seats regardless of need,” she said.
