State ‘must try harder’

By Melissa Grant
A STATE opposition MP has slammed the Brumby Government for not establishing another secondary college in Pakenham, saying its failure to do so is hurting the local community.
Member for Eastern Victoria Edward O’Donohue has again called on the State Government to build a second public secondary school to cater for the increase in families moving into the area.
In Parliament last week, Mr O’Donohue said the issue was a matter of urgency and condemned the Brumby Government for its failure to address the growth of the region.
“With an estimated 1384 young people between the ages of 12 and 17 moving into Pakenham and the growth corridor over the next five years the only way to sustain public education choices for local residents is to build another secondary college,” he said.
Mr O’Donohue said Pakenham Secondary College, the only government secondary college in the growth corridor, was experiencing unprecedented demand.
“With student numbers as high as 1100 in 2007, the school will continue to experience increased pressure with the number of families moving in to the area,” he said.
Mr O’Donohue said by not providing more educational options, the State Government was failing to address the educational needs of young people living in the Pakenham area.
“The Government has a responsibility to provide local families with a choice of both public and private education,” he said.
“The recent announcement by St Francis Xavier that they will build a secondary college in Pakenham is evidence that the private sector is responding to the need of the community.
“Choice of education is no light decision for any parent but the Brumby Government’s lack of foresight is blatantly negligent.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development said the State Government was working to identify sites for new secondary and primary schools in the area but didn’t say if and when a new secondary school would be built.
“The department is aware of the continued residential growth expected in the Pakenham-Officer area and is planning to ensure that all students have access to high quality, local government primary and secondary schools,” the spokesperson said.
“In addition, Pakenham Secondary College is undergoing a $14 million major capital project that will transform it into a state of the art facility.
“Two new primary schools in Pakenham are also due to open in the next two years – Pakenham South Primary School in 2008 and Pakenham Lakeside Primary School in 2009.”