Opposition highlights demountable numbers

There are 31 demountable classrooms on the Peninsula, according to a statement released by Shadow Minister for Education Mr Andrew Stoner.

They are sited at Brisbane Water Secondary College Umina Campus (4), Woy Woy Public School (10), Umina Public School (6), Pretty Beach Public School (4), Ettalong Public School (3) and Empire Bay Public School (4).

Mr Stoner said there were 729 demountable classrooms across the Central Coast and Hunter regions.

Mr Stoner, who obtained the figures under the Freedom of Information Act, said: "Students in these regions should not have had to put up with so many demountable classrooms during 2008.

"At the end of another school year, every parent, teacher and student knows that learning in a demountable classroom is a poor second choice to learning in a real classroom.

"Many of these demountables are up to 30 years old and in a third world condition.

"The fact that so many students have to learn in these conditions shows just how much State Labor has allowed the public school system to be run down.

"Let's hope we see a turnaround in the 2009 school year."

Mr Stoner said the recent laptop deal highlighted the second-rate nature of demountables.

"These numbers are ironic seeing that Nathan Rees has put up his hand to organise the Federal Government's student laptop scheme," Mr Stoner said.

"Maybe Nathan Rees' priorities should be to provide adequate classrooms for students to learn in rather than trying to take the credit for Kevin Rudd's laptop roll out.

"Demountable classrooms have few, if any, power points.

"Nathan Rees should explain how he expects a class of up to 30 students to power-up and charge their laptops."

Press release, 21 Dec 2008 Andrew Stoner, Shadow Minister for Education