ESPERANCE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL AND EDUCATION SUPPORT CENTRE
540. Mr P.J. RUNDLE to the Premier:
I refer to the Premier's
recent visit to the Esperance Senior High School and the Esperance Education
Support Centre, where he saw the deplorable state of the 1966 buildings and the
impact of this environment on the learning potential of students, not to
mention the work health and safety issues for the entire population of both
schools. Since his visit, what has he and the Minister for Education and
Training done to remedy this dire situation at Esperance Senior High School and
the education support centre?
Mr M.
McGOWAN replied:
I
would like to thank the school community. I did visit the school when I visited
Esperance some months ago and I would like to thank the school community
for the excellent education it provides to the students of Esperance.
Obviously, I visit many schools and we constantly review our capital program to
upgrade schools around Western Australia. I recall that when I was education
minister back in the late 2000s, the Labor government invested a significant
amount at Esperance Senior High School. It was probably the last time that a government
invested a significant amount in Esperance. As I recall, we undertook some
major improvements to the value, again from memory, of $10 million. I note that
when the Liberals and Nationals were in office for eight and a half years, I do
not think anything was spent on the school. Perhaps they will need to look in
the mirror.