Parents demand new school
Thursday, 19 July 2007 10:00
Local parents have indicated that they overwhelmingly support the move for a new local high school in the Mt Crosby/Karana Downs area. Have your say - Click Here.
Parents voiced their position on masse at last weekend’s public meeting. I addressed over 200 residents turned out to the Karana Downs Country Club.
The meeting which was organized by local parent Swee Wan Carpenter and chaired by local Federal MP Michael Johnson, gave me the chance to hear the concerns of residents first-hand.
One local real estate agent told the meeting that parents of high school aged children frequently have to leave the area to access secondary education. There are over 3000 students approaching high school age locally.
Education accessibility in the Western Suburbs has been severely compromised by the State Government’s decision to exclude students from Karana Downs, Mt Crosby, Karalee and parts of Chapel Hill from attending Kenmore State High School.
That is despite the fact that Mt Crosby State School is currently the largest feeder school to KSHS.
In fact, 1300 children attend primary school at Mt Crosby and Karalee alone.
Recent statistics from the ABS, showing that 60% of high school students in the area are privately educated, simply reinforces the point that the State Government is not doing enough to provide access to public education for people living in Mt Crosby/Karana Downs.
Swee Wan has collected hundreds of signatures on a petition to the State Government. I thank all local residents who supported the petition and I will continue to press this issue.
I would encourage you to click on the link below and vote to have your say about this important local issue.
I look forward to tabling the petition in parliament next sitting week.
Tell me what you think. Click here to have your say about this important local issue.