Thursday, 22 February 2024

Petitions

Neerim District Rural Primary School

Wayne FARNHAM (Narracan) presented a petition bearing 128 signatures:

Issue:

The petition of residents of Victoria draws the attention of the Legislative Assembly to the potential closure of the Neerim District Rural Primary School (NDRPS). NDRPS faced destaffing in 2020 due to low enrolments. Despite this, the school remained officially open and could be restaffed if necessary. Since 2020, there has been a noticeable lack of support or collaboration from the Department of Education (DET) regarding NDRPS’s status. Recently, the Neerim District community was approached by the DET to provide feedback on the permanent closure of NDRPS with just one weeks’ notice. Despite attempts in obtaining a clear timeline and process from DET, the community has been unsuccessful. The community needs more time to engage DET and stakeholders before a decision is made. DET’s claims about minimal enrolment interest and a scarcity of primary-aged students in the area contradict our communities’ experiences. Our area comprises numerous young families, including many new families. Many parents seeking enrolment at NDRPS have reported receiving insufficient or inaccurate information about enrolling in a destaffed school. The community urgently requires the opportunity to explore enrolment interest and disseminate accurate information about the school’s status.

Action:

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Assembly call on the Government to; 1. Maintain the school’s operational status. 2. Collaborate with a group of parents and locals to devise a strategy for restaffing the school. 3. Allow the school site to continue supporting local early education groups (such as Mary Beck Kinder and the playgroup). 4. Acknowledge the significance of providing local and accessible educational opportunities for rural families and their communities. 5. Recognise the historical and communal importance of the site by ensuring it remains available for community use.

Ordered that petition be considered tomorrow.