$20m For Schools 'pitiful'

The Age

Saturday March 1, 2008

Bridie Smith

THE State Opposition branded yesterday's announcement of a $20 million increase to school maintenance funds as a "Band-Aid" solution that would not come close to eradicating the $268 million school maintenance backlog.

The one-off injection announced by Education Minister Bronwyn Pike yesterday will target specific schools in Glen Waverley, Ballarat, Fairfield, Geelong, Kerang and Orbost - as well as those schools with urgent maintenance needs identified through school audits.

Overall, more than $7.3 million will be spent on roofing, almost $5 million on toilet updates at 43 schools and $2.4 million for works including electrical upgrades, heaters, fire services and fencing at 13 schools. Included in the announcement was $5.3 million for routine maintenance.

Ms Pike said the funds were in addition to the $41 million already allocated for maintenance this year. But Opposition education spokesman Martin Dixon said the funding was "pitiful". -- BRIDIE SMITH

© 2008 The Age

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