NSW Labor has called on the Berejiklian Government to urgently upgrade Gillieston Public School to provide much needed economic stimulus and new jobs in Maitland.

On a visit to Gillieston Public School, Labor Leader Jodi McKay and Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison demanded an urgent upgrade. The school has two permanent classrooms for 250 students. Labor wants the Government to listen to local parents who’ve been calling for permanent buildings to replace nine demountables.

Gillieston Public is at 136% capacity and is under significant pressure due to rapidly growing housing developments.

Labor has launched a campaign Building Schools Creates Jobs to kickstart construction of overdue school projects and bolster the struggling economy.

“Building or upgrading schools creates jobs,” Ms McKay said.

“It means jobs for tradies in the short term, and new teaching opportunities and better prospects for our children in the long term. It’s time the Berejiklian Government listened to the people of Maitland and provide the school infrastructure the community needs.”

Labor Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison said: “Maitland is growing but our schools are either overflowing or at capacity.

“It is unacceptable that there are only two permanent classrooms at Gillieston Public and it’s time the Government listened to the local community and did something to fix this. Kids in Maitland deserve a quality education.”

The Government has promised but not delivered 99 new and upgraded schools in NSW. It has also failed to plan for student growth in Sydney and rural and regional NSW. 580 schools are over their enrolment cap. Some schools are struggling at 380% capacity.

As part of Labor’s plan, every school building project would employ local workers to create jobs and support local businesses.