Here’s a rare case of a state government willing to get its hands dirty.
This week sees a new, “centralised” water and sanitation program being established for the benefit of more than 250 schools across Victoria.
The initiative takes the responsibility of maintaining the off-grid water systems away from school staff, and places it under the management of the Victorian School Building Authority.
That body will now now be responsible for tasks such as testing and treating drinking water, and desludging wastewater management systems.
“Teachers and principals shouldn’t be at a disadvantage because they’re in regional Victoria – and this reform means they have more time to do what they love, teaching kids,” Education Minister Gabrielle Williams said in a statement.
Many of the schools being targeted by the move are in rural areas, and without access to public water nor sewer mains.
Among those set to benefit from the change locally are:
- East Loddon P-12 College
- Bealiba Primary School
- Elmore Primary School
- Elphinstone Primary School
- Eppalock Primary School
- Goornong Primary School
- Langley Primary School
- Lockwood Primary School
- Lockwood South Primary School
- Natte Yallock Primary School
- Raywood Primary School
- Redesdale Mia Mia Primary School
- Talbot Primary School
- Tarnagulla Primary School
- Timor Primary School
- Trentham District Primary School
The government estimates their initiative will save a combined “175,000 hours of teacher time each year”.
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