PARENTS have outlined their concerns following the State Government’s recent decision to build the new Casey Central Secondary College through a public private partnership (PPP).
Higher fees, the official opening date and the fact that Casey Central Secondary College will be one of the first schools built under a PPP are among the many unknowns the community is facing.
The group, set up to make the Government accountable for its failed promise to deliver the school in 2009, has been outspoken.
Casey School 2009 Campaign spokeswoman Sue Ernsdoerfer said group members wanted more information from the Government.
“What will be the financial impact to families with regard to the fee structure?” she said.
“Will it be the same as other government secondary schools, or will there be a building and maintenance charge added in?
“Basic explanations of how it is all going to work have been given, but parents are worried about higher fees and the fact that no public high school has yet been built under the PPP in Victoria,” Ms Ernsdoerfer said.
A spokeswoman for Education Minister Bronwyn Pike said the private company responsible for the school would be paid by the Government for designing, building, operating and maintaining the school.
“The Victorian Government will retain responsibility for all teaching, curriculum and educational management of the school,” she said.
“Like all other government schools, it will be the Casey Central Secondary College school council that sets any payments to cover student materials such as books.
“The fact that this is a PPP does not affect this process in any way.”
The spokeswoman said there would be clearly defined standards that the private company must achieve in order for payments to be made, with penalties applying for any failure to meet those standards.
Ms Ernsdoerfer urged parents looking to be informed about their ongoing campaign to email caseyschool2009@hotmail.com.
– Callan Date
