As school returns for 2026 many Gippsland students will be returning to classrooms that have been officially rated as poor or below average according to new Department of Education data.
The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien said there is a growing gap between new school developments in the city and the neglected condition of existing regional schools.
“New schools are important, but that does nothing for families whose children are learning in ageing, rundown classrooms right now,” Mr O’Brien said.
Documents secured under Freedom of Information laws show 18 Victorian Government schools in the electorate of Gippsland South have received ‘poor’ or ‘below average’ School Condition Assessment Scores, which measure outstanding maintenance issues, defects and damage across school buildings and grounds.
Mirboo North Primary School scored the lowest, while schools in Boolarra, Poowong, Rosedale, Korumburra, Yarram, Foster and other Gippsland communities were all assessed as below average.
“These numbers reflect leaking roofs, deteriorating buildings and facilities that have not kept pace with modern learning needs,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Gippsland children deserve better and deserve a state government that will invest in them.”
Mr O’Brien said the figures expose a disconnect between the Allan Labor Government’s claims of record investment in education and the reality facing regional schools.
“Labor keeps saying it is investing more than ever, but if that is the case it is clear that Gippsland is not getting its fair share.
“When 18 schools in Gippsland South fail to meet an acceptable standard, it is clear regional students are being left behind.”
Mr O’Brien highlighted that The Nationals had committed to providing $3 million to fund a rebuild of Foster Primary School in 2022, but that the Labor Government had failed to match that commitment.