Labor will put an extra $100 million towards replacing demountable classrooms at schools across the state if elected in March.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The funding would pay for permanent, air conditioned classrooms to replace the demountable structures.
Schools with the highest number of demountables and oldest temporary rooms would be the top priorities.
There are multiple demountables in use at Rutherford Public School, some of which have been there for almost 20 years.
About 100,000 students in NSW use temporary demountable classrooms each day.
Rutherford Public School P&C president Rachael Henderson said about 360 of the 780 students at the school used demountable classrooms daily.
She said the P&C has approached the government and written letters last year about getting permanent structures.
“It would be great if we could get some permanent structures or better facilities for the kids,” Ms Henderson said.
“There’s no bathrooms in close vicinity, that’s my big issue. It’s so far for them to come back down if it’s raining.
“We are currently raising money for undercover walkways.”
Labor candidate for Maitland Jenny Aitchison said demountable classrooms were designed to be temporary solutions.
“But students in Maitland, like Telarah Public School, Rutherford High School, Gillieston Public School and Rutherford Primary School have been stuck in demountables for years,” she said.
“Education is the number one priority for Labor and our school facilities should reflect that.”
Opposition leader Luke Foley said there were 40 schools in the Hunter that contained demountable classrooms that were at least 10 years old.
A NSW Department of Education and Training leaflet published last October noted that about 4500 demountable classrooms were in use at schools and TAFE sites across the state.
This represented about 10 per cent of teaching spaces in NSW, the leaflet noted.
In 2013/14, the department spent $28 million refurbishing and maintaining demountables.
The department also notes that it provides funding for new classrooms and schools where there is a long-term need predicted and it uses demountables to cater for peak enrolment periods.