Page 153 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 14 December 2016
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Gungahlin—public school places
MR MILLIGAN: My question is to the Minister for Education and Early Childhood. Minister, parents are advising that there is a shortage of places in primary schools in Gungahlin, particularly in new suburbs such as Franklin. What is the government doing to address the shortage?
MS BERRY: I thank the member for the question. In June last year the ACT government tabled its report on school capacity and I refer the member to that report. With particular reference to Franklin, I might have to come back to the Assembly with detail on that specific school. But the report on school capacity is available for you to refer to.
MR MILLIGAN: Minister, what is your advice to parents of young children living in Franklin as to where they can enrol their children?
MS BERRY: I would advise parents in Gungahlin to have a look at all the public schools and all the schools that are available for enrolment but also to go to the education website which is the best place that they can get information about where they can enrol their children.
MR COE: Minister, what are the specific plans for the expansion of Franklin school as per what you announced in the election campaign? Specifically is it about expanding the kindy to year 2 or is it about lengthening the school to year 6?
MS BERRY: I will have to get some detail back to members about what the future plans for school capacity across the city are. Of course in Gungahlin we have a community that has been growing faster than any other community in the country. Indeed, in all our schools we need to have a look at the shifting and changing behaviour of our community. We never thought that people would start moving from the suburbs into higher density accommodation. So we have to look at the capacity of the schools currently in the city because human behaviour is changing. This is a challenge for any government to be able to manage.
Mr Coe: What was your election promise?
MS BERRY: I have responded to the question. They keep interjecting. I have said that I will provide detail, and I will.
Mr Coe interjecting—
MS BERRY: You have asked about school capacity. So I am trying to respond to that. I have responded to the question.
MADAM SPEAKER: There is no need to respond to the interjections, minister.
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