School left

By Bridget Cook
NARRE Warren North Liberal candidate Michelle Frazer has hit out at the State Government, saying they have ‘short-changed’ Timbarra P-9 School.
Ms Frazer said the government had broken a promise to build a full secondary college at Timbarra, and instead would only deliver a school up to Year 9.
But Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan has denied the claims, saying no commitment had been made to this land.
Ms Frazer said that while many in the community were glad to have some secondary education facilities at Timbarra underway, they were anxious about what happened after Year 9.
“People moved in here expecting a full education system for their children,” she said.
“After 10 years of neglect, Labor has broken their promise to provide a full secondary college and short-changed the community.
“This means students have to change schools and travel outside their local area at a critical time in their education.”
Ms Frazer said the State Government was making it difficult for students in Timbarra to continue their education and Mr Donnellan seemed oblivious.
“All Victorian students are required to complete Year 10 and remain in some form of education or training until the age of 17,” she said.
“Ending education services at Year 9 at Timbarra could lead to increased drop-out rates and youth unemployment.”
Mr Donnellan said the land was up for sale when he was elected.
“I fought successfully to keep the land for community use if not educational purposes,” he said.
“And in 2006 a commitment was made to keep the land and use for educational purposes.”
A State Government spokesperson said Timbarra Primary had benefited from $11 million in state funding to construct new facilities and transform the school into a P-9 College.
“The government ensures that student pathways are always provided and following the completion of Year 9 at Timbarra, students are served by Berwick and Fountain Gate secondary colleges,” he said.
“The Department of Education is constantly monitoring population trends in the growing City of Casey to best plan for future education provision.”