POPULATION growth in the South West has placed pressures on schools to provide sufficient educational facilities and keep up with growing demand, according to independent public schools in the area.
The state education minister Peter Collier was in Busselton on Monday to visit schools and attend a forum with principals and school board members.
While the minister said education funding had increased for each student, representatives from independent public schools said they were struggling to plan new infrastructure.
Dunsborough Primary School board chair Michael Border said at the forum it was difficult to plan ahead because the state government had not provided certainty on a new primary school.
Mr Border said if the school had an understanding of what was being planned in the area they could improve planning for extra facilities at the school.
He said adding demountables to the school wasn’t a problem but it was having the extra facilities to support growth which was needed.
“We are up in the air about whether we are going to get a second school,” he said.
“The worse thing for us would be hanging out for a new primary school and we don’t expect it will come soon.
“The school is travelling quite well at the moment even though we are pressed for facilities.”
A representative from Cape Naturaliste College said students in years 11 and 12 didn’t receive the same opportunities as students from other schools and their current facilities were not adequate to accommodate specialist training.
Mr Collier said the Education Department monitors population growth and he was concerned it would stop fluctuating in the area.
Vasse MP Libby Mettam said with projected enrolments in the area additional infrastructure investment was required.
“Busselton Senior High School which, along with West Busselton Primary will be receiving funding for refurbishment,” she said.
“Cape Naturaliste College in Vasse is one of 29 schools that have needed additional infrastructure at a total cost of $230 million.”