Liberals promise land for a new Catholic school in Molonglo

The Catholic Education Office has been trying for six years to get land for a school in the area. There are no Catholic schools in Molonglo despite population figures that predict more than 3500 primary students and more than 2000 secondary students living there by 2021.

Liberal education spokesman Steve Doszpot said a quarter of ACT students were in the Catholic education system.

There are 32 Catholic schools in Canberra. The Catholic Education Office pays for the infrastructure and building the schools but relies on land grants from the government.

Director of catholic education Moira Najdecki applauded the announcement.

"To date no allocation of land for Catholic schools has taken place despite frequent requests at all levels in the ACT government," she said. "The urgent provision of suitable sites in Molonglo for Catholic Schools is imperative if the Molonglo community is to be given the same opportunities and choice in education as other Canberrans."

The education office has yet to decide whether the school would be primary or secondary, with decisions depending on demand and the nature of the land allocated.

Mr Doszpot said a Liberal government would work closely with the Catholic Education Office.

The Liberals have already promised to spend $60 million upgrading schools around the city. They have a also promised $17.5 million to help children with disabilities in the non-government sector, $7.5 million for special schools, and $7.5 million to install flashing lights outside all Canberra schools.