Answers to Questions

Rose Park Primary School

204 Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (25 May 2016). Given that Rose Park Primary School is required to reduce its numbers and all primary schools in the area are now at capacity, will the government consider using the Massada College as a site for a new primary school?

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Minister for Education and Child Development, Minister for Higher Education and Skills): I have been advised:

Massada College is not owned by the Department for Education and Child Development (DECD) and is therefore not in a position to use the property to establish a new school. My department advises that the property has been sold to a third party and that settlement is pending. The future use of this site will be a matter for the new owner.

The department monitors the capacity of schools and introduces capacity management plans, school zones and/or provides additional accommodation for schools when it is warranted. Rose Park Primary School, like a number of surrounding schools, has experienced enrolment pressure partly due to a large number of students residing outside their respective school zones. A school that is operating at its capacity is operating efficiently in terms of available space.

The Department for Education and Child Development is confident that it will be able to manage demand for future local enrolment through the measures identified above.