Small Wheatbelt schools set to close

18/11/05
Falling student enrolments have forced the closure of three Wheatbelt primary schools at the end of this year. The schools are Karlgarin, Muntadgin and Mt Walker.
Education and Training Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich said it was never an easy decision to close a school but students would get better educational opportunities at nearby schools.
"Students at these primary schools are being disadvantaged because their school numbers are too small to deliver effective teaching and learning programs," Ms Ravlich said.
The Minister also said the high school component of Pingelly District High School would close at the end of the year, due to a drop in enrolments to only nine students for 2006.
"Attending larger schools will provide better educational options, as well as better social opportunities for these students," she said.
Ms Ravlich said this year there were only 15 students at Karlgarin, 12 at Mt Walker and nine at Muntadgin. This was expected to drop to seven students at Karlgarin and only three at the other schools in 2006.
"The decision to close the schools has been reached after consultation with the local communities and transportation will be organised for students," she said.
The Minister said Karlgarin students would enrol at Hyden Primary School, just 15km away. Mt Walker and Muntadgin students would enrol at Narembeen District High School.
Pingelly students would attend Brookton District High School or Narrogin Senior High School.
A relocation allowance of $250 per student is available to the parents of children up to Year Six enrolled at Karlgarin, Muntadgin and Mt Walker. A sum of $350 is available to the parents of children in Years Seven to Nine at Pingelly, provided they re-enrol their children at a public school for Term One next year.
Minister's office - 9213 6800