The NSW Government’s merger plan for schools in Murwillumbah is facing strong opposition from members in the four affected schools.
Last month Education Minister Sarah Mitchell announced Murwillumbah High School’s site would be redeveloped to also accommodate students from Wollumbin High School and Murwillumbah and Murwillumbah East public schools, which would be closed. She’s indicated the decision will not be reversed.
Members at each of the schools held workplace meetings last week and passed motions calling for an immediate halt to the project. They want the Berejiklian government and Department of Education to “initiate genuine consultation with teachers and the broader community on how to best approach enhancing the delivery of public education to the local community”.
“We are committed to doing all we can to support the learning conditions of our students and the working conditions of teachers and other staff. However, this decision by the government goes to the core of public schooling provision for the entire Murwillumbah community,” they declared.
“We stand united with our colleagues and parents in the three other Murwillumbah public schools in pursuit of the highest quality provision of public schooling for our students, current and future …. Touch one, touch all.”
Other members of the local community have also condemned the Government’s decision, including parents and Tweed deputy mayor Reece Byrnes.