$12m upgrade to leaky Wainui school
Wainuiomata High School will have to wait two more years for a $12 million upgrade to replace leaky buildings and rundown services.
Associate Minister of Education Tim Macindoe made the announcement about the Lower Hutt school yesterday morning.
Principal Martin Isberg said it was an ‘‘exciting time’’ for the school, formed in 2002 by the merger of Parkway and Wainuiomata colleges.
Many of the buildings in the school date back to the 1970s and those built for the merger have never been weathertight.
The school has always been limited in what it can provide on the curriculum because of the buildings.
A curriculum review would establish what subjects the school should be providing before the rebuild takes place.
‘‘This investment recognises that Wainuiomata High School’s buildings are ageing with many of them in poor condition and affected by issues such as weathertightness,’’ Macindoe said.
National list MP Chris Bishop said he had been the subject of lobbying from a group of senior pupils who had made him aware of the poor condition the school was in. For the children to learn they, had to be in the right environment and the rebuild would provide modern learning spaces for pupils.
Labour Hutt South candidate Ginny Andersen said she was suspicious of the announcement so close to an election.
‘‘The first time I came here a teacher grabbed me and said ‘you have to come and see these leaks’.’’
Macindoe said the upgrade would not start until 2019 and showed the Government’s longterm commitment to education.
The money will go towards weathertightness work, improving existing teaching areas and building new learning spaces.
Andersen said the money was enough for a facelift, but a rebuild was needed.
‘‘Kids having to learn in substandard conditions is unacceptable.
‘‘This is a deeply cynical move to grab votes in the Hutt. It’s a lolly scramble.’’
Isberg said that the upgrade would allow the school to better provide for its 650 students.
It had become very diverse in recent years and the new buildings would allow it to better cater for students needs. full