The State Government has released its 20-year Infrastructure Plan, which provides a complete re-evaluation of the way public school infrastructure priorities and investments are decided.
Aimed at ensuring the equitable distribution of funding over the next two decades, the framework will inform the Department for Education's future management of its sites and building stock.
Key indicators, including enrolment trends and capacity, asset condition and index of socio-economic disadvantage, have been identified that will help prioritise infrastructure work.
The plan, which is aimed at ensuring parents and families want to use the public school closest to their home for their children's education, supports the announcement in last week's State Budget that two new schools will be built in areas that have seen significant population growth.
A new co-located $62.7 million preschool and primary school will be built at Mount Barker and will offer 100 preschool and 300 primary school enrolment places.
A new $155 million public secondary school will be built in Adelaide’s northern suburbs and will provide 1300 places for students from years 7 to 12. Both schools are planned to open in 2028.
A number of schools across the state, including Mount Gambier High and Surrey Downs Primary, will share in an additional $38.1 million to address urgent upgrades for facilities and expansions to ensure capacity.
SA Secondary Principals' Association Chief Executive Jayne Heath said the plan ensured equitable investment in public schools.
"Ensuring local schools are a welcoming and inspiring place to learn is essential for our children’s and young people’s future,” Ms Heath said.
“The design and quality of learning environments is an important consideration when a family is choosing a school for their child.
“This important investment in public education will go a long way to ensuring their local school is their school of choice."
South Australian Primary Principals Association President Tobias O'Connor said ageing school infrastructure was a "pressing issue" for members.
"Every local public school should be the best option for families in that community," he said.
"The 20-year infrastructure plan, which aims to improve the teaching and learning conditions in our public schools, is a significant step in the right direction."
Under the plan, Oakbank Primary School will get a $15.9 million rejuvenation to provide an enriched learning experience, building on the school’s well-regarded agricultural focus and 22-acre working farm.
Oakbank School Principal Lee Knight said the upgrade was welcome news for the school community.
“This will rejuvenate our school, which has been serving this local community since 1938, allowing us to better meet the needs of our students now and into the future,” Mrs Knight said.
“While the full extent of the work will need to be considered, I expect that this will deliver flexible, inspiring learning spaces that will support every child and young person at Oakbank School to develop knowledge, skills and capabilities to thrive at school and beyond.”
For more information about the 20-year Infrastructure Plan for South Australian Public Education and Care, visit the Department for Education’s website.
