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Education | August 08, 2024

Horsham, Stawell schools secure funding for upgrades

The Nationals' Member for Lowan Emma Kealy has congratulated two Lowan schools who have received state government funding for upgrades.

Ss Michael and John's Primary School in Horsham will receive $3.6 million for a general learning area, breakout spaces and other improvements.

St Patrick's School in Stawell will receive $2.4 million to build a general learning area and upgrade student amenities.

Ms Kealy said the funding would help give students and staff the learning environments they needed and deserved.

She has previously advocated for upgrades of both schools, including the Nationals announcing they would commit $3 million for St Patrick’s to be upgraded if they won government in 2022.

“Both Ss Michael and John’s and St Patrick’s are innovative and dynamic schools that have worked hard to advance their facilities, and I look forward to seeing how these upgrades create an even more wonderful environment for staff and students to learn and work in,” she said.

However Ms Kealy questioned why the government continued to rule out any funding for other Lowan schools that were in need, including Stawell Secondary College.

The college received funding in 2020 for the second stage of the school's master plan, but this year was told there was not enough money and the project had to be rescoped.

“The college has been forced to accept a revised plan that abandons key improvements that the state government had promised,” Ms Kealy said.

"When it comes to metropolitan projects, Labor will not hesitate to tip in funding to cover consistent cost blowouts, but it seems they are completely unwilling to find additional money to deliver on promises to rural and regional communities.

“Labor can’t manage money, and it’s our students and teachers who pay the price.”