$2m grant for schools

A DANDENONG educational precinct to replace schools that have ‘passed their use-by date’ received $2 million this week for research into design and curriculum.
Dandenong MP John Pandazopoulos announced the funds last week as part of a post-State Budget announcement, elaborating on where a $20 million regeneration projects package would be spent.
A proposed merger between Dandenong High, Cleeland Secondary College and Doveton Secondary College into a $40 million education precinct was first revealed more than 12 months ago.
Dandenong High School council president, and reference group member, Alan Collier, said the funds would enable those involved to conduct research into a curriculum, investigate other examples of precincts, and to consult architects.
“It is no good building a school and then saying what the curriculum is,” Mr Collier said. “We need do a lot of work on the curriculum so it dictates the building.
“But if we are going to spend $35 or $40 million, we don’t want to be saying we should have done this or that.
“If we are going to spend the money, then we need to get it right the first time.”
The project will also integrate a strong TAFE element, with the possibility of courses being conducted on site, Mr Collier said.
Mr Collier ruled out the prospect of the site being changed to a VicUrban proposed educational precinct near the Dandenong train station.
“We’ve always been in consultation with the educational department, and it will be on the site where Dandenong High School and Cleeland Secondary College are,” he said.
Following the research period, Mr Collier said the project would then seek tenders, with an expected construction of three years.