Coorabell Public School is facing being cut from 125 students to 47 under recent legislation implemented by the NSW Department of Education who claim there are nine classrooms within 15km of the school to take students.
Parents are asking why a successful school like Coorabell, that ranks in the top one per cent for NAPLAN in the country, is having student numbers cut rather than being given extra permanent classrooms.
‘They [the education department] are saying that they do not anticipate any growth in the region,’ said Sybil Anderson a spokesperson for the P&C.
‘There are over 50 residential lots being released in our school zone in the near future. How can they say there is no growth anticipated?’
Sybil pointed out that between the students currently accommodated in demountables at Coorabell and Main Arm Upper Public schools, seven of the nine classrooms they claim are free to take students would already be full.
‘That leaves two classrooms free for all the area’s student growth,’ she said.
In response to what they believe to be the education department’s short-sighted policy for the region, Coorabell P&C are organising a rally on Friday, February 22, after school.
‘We are inviting the minister and shadow minister for education, and local candidates for Ballina in the upcoming state election,’ said Sybil.
‘We’re asking the NSW Department of Education to properly plan for the future growth in this region and make our four demountable classrooms permanent.’
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