Provision of shade covers for sandpits in Goldfields

27/11/96

Shade covers over sand pits in pre-primary schools and kindergartens will be of particular benefit to young children in areas of the Goldfields where temperatures are warmer than some other regions leading into the summer months.

In Kalgoorlie today visiting Hannans Primary School, Education Minister Colin Barnett said that the Coalition Government had announced that it would add another prevention strategy to its already good record of protecting school children from the sun by building shade covers over sandpits in all government pre-primary schools and kindergartens.

The initiative will cost $1.2 million. Within three years all of the shade covers will be in place.

Hannans Primary School includes a pre-primary centre and has two covered sandpits. Mr Barnett used these shade shelters as examples of what could be put into place in other pre-primary schools and kindergartens according to local needs.

"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," Mr Barnett 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.

"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."

Media contact: Justine Whittome 222 9699