Public schools in Esperance and Menzies to receive at least $250,000 for upgrades

Two Goldfields-Esperance public schools will receive a share of about $25 million for upgrades as part of the Federal Government’s Schools Upgrade Fund.

Esperance Senior High School and Menzies Community School were among 13 WA public schools selected to receive at least $250,000 under round two of the fund.

Parents, students and the wider Esperance community have been raising concerns about the poor state of the Esperance high school’s 1960s-era buildings for many years.

This month State Opposition education minister Peter Rundle launched a petition calling for an urgent upgrade of the ageing high school.

Mr Rundle, who is also the Roe MLA, said the school’s dilapidated buildings were no longer fit-for-purpose and required a significant rebuild.

“Esperance Senior High School staff and students continue to put up with the dilapidated and in some parts unsafe condition of school infrastructure, which is undermining educational opportunities and outcomes for students,” he said.

The school’s deteriorating infrastructure was also raised by Shire of Esperance councillors at a closed-door meeting with State Regional Development Minister Don Punch this month.

The Schools Upgrade Fund supports infrastructure projects such as new classrooms, building refurbishments and outdoor learning spaces.

State Education Minister Tony Buti said the funding would ensure quality infrastructure upgrades at regional and metropolitan WA schools.

“I’m sure these school communities will be pleased that they can progress important works on their sites that will ensure students are learning in modern and inspiring environments,” he said.

Federal Education Minister Jason Clare said: “From upgrading art rooms and tech rooms to new outdoor equipment and replacing demountables, this funding will deliver upgrades to public schools that need it the most.”

A spokesperson for the WA Government said in January it was committed to providing the “best possible education facilities” to ensure students could reach their potential.

“The Department (of Education) is in the process of undertaking a building condition assessment of all public schools across the State,” the spokesperson said.

“The report for Esperance SHS was provided to the school in term 4, 2023, and the highest-priority issues have already been remediated by the department.

“The findings of the building condition assessment process will inform future priorities for consideration by the State Government.”

It is understood Esperance SHS received almost $2 million as part of the 2019-20 maintenance blitz, which included $701,137 for design and technology upgrades and $796,601 for solar panels.

Of the funding, $93,600 was for maintenance, $16,676 went towards roof safety and $62,905 was marked for structural integrity.