WARRACKNABEAL Special Development School will have its classrooms upgraded as part of a state government funding commitment.
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The government has pledged $2-million to the school as part of the 2016-17 budget.
Member for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford said the money would go to towards upgrading the school’s ageing buildings.
She said this would ensure students had the modern classrooms and spaces they needed to learn.
“The state government will work with the community to determine whether to rebuild classrooms on the existing site or to relocate the buildings so they are alongside the other schools at Warracknabeal,” she said.
“We are making sure that every student with special needs has the chance to fulfil their potential.”
Yarriambiack Mayor Ray Kingston welcomed the announcement.
“Anything that adds to teachers’ ability to educate children is great news,” he said.
Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said the announcement brought the idea of a Warracknabeal education precinct one step closer.
“The Warracknabeal community has a clear plan to develop a new education precinct,” she said.
She said the plan involved bringing together the special development school, primary school and secondary school.
“A new education precinct will help to attract new families to Warracknabeal to ensure the school community continues to grow and prosper,” she said.
Ms Kealy said the first stage of the project was to relocate the specialist school onto the primary school site and build new staff and administration buildings.
“It is essential the special development school has access to sufficient money to deliver this important education service,” she said.
This funding is part of a $155.8-million package for special needs students.
The funding includes $68.5 million to upgrade 20 specialist schools, including seven in regional Victoria, $22 million to help students with autism and dyslexia and $15.6 million to help students with disabilities travel between home and school.
Education Minister James Merlino said the state government was providing the support that had been missing for too long.
“We are building schools, supporting teachers and helping all students achieve their best,” he said.