Plans to build sun shelters in Govt pre-primary schools released

22/11/96

A Coalition Government will add another prevention strategy to its already good record of protecting Western Australian school children from the dangers of the sun.

Education Minister Colin Barnett today released Coalition plans to build sun shelters for play sandpits in Government pre-primary schools and kindergartens.

The initiative will cost $2.1 million and will be added to a range of preventative measures already in place through the Education Department to protect school children from the sun.

Mr Barnett said this week's National Skin Cancer Action Week highlighted the real dangers faced by WA children exposed to the sun.

"Research indicates that sunburn during childhood is a significant risk for the development of skin cancers later in life," he said.

"A Coalition Government will provide at least $2,500 to build each of the sandpit covers and the Education Department will ensure they are built large enough to provide adequate shade and are regularly maintained.

"This grant will be increased for rural and remote locations according to the loading formula used in calculating the school grant. Within three years, there will be covered sandpits in Government pre-primary schools and kindergartens."

Mr Barnett said the very successful School in Houses project at Ellenbrook was a good example of a sandpit cover already in place. The structure consisted of a timber-framed gable structure with a metal deck roof.

"Individual schools in consultation with the Education Department will be able to select the type of cover most suitable to their local conditions and circumstances," he said.

"Excellent covers can be constructed from a number of materials, including metal decking covered steel frames, shade cloth covered frames, and tensile fabric on lightweight framing."

The Minister said the sandpit cover initiative was just one of a number in place under the Coalition Government.

"There was the development of the Sun Protection Guidelines through the Education Department in 1994, and figures show that the No Hat - No Play policy is in 91 per cent of our primary schools now and a sun protection policy now in 61 per cent of secondary schools.

"Last year the Government announced a $25 million plan to provide covered assembly areas in all primary schools over five years.

"Forty nine schools will have had covered assembly areas built under this program by the middle of next year and they are now compulsory in every new primary school this Government builds."

Media contact: Justine Whittome (09) 222 9699