The ACT Government has ruled out reopening any of the schools it closed in 2006, in particular Tharwa and Hall primary schools, rejecting the recommendation of a Legislative Assembly committee.
But in what Education Minister Andrew Barr regarded as a concession, the Government will consider allowing a non-govenrnment school to be established in Hall, and committed to expanding existing pre-school services at the two village communities.
Mr Barr said that in response to the Education, Training and Youth Affairs Committee's report published in September, the Government would increase current free preschool hours from 12 to 15 in Hall next year, and at Tharwa in 2011.
Also, it will increase the maximum preschool age in Hall and Tharwa from two to three years if the number of eligible preschoolers is insufficient to ensure the viability of the program.
Existing playgroups using the facilities would also be guaranteed continued access and additional playgroups would be facilitated.
Greens leader Meredith Hunter said her party was pleased with the outcome and indicated the Greens would not be re-agitating the issue of school closures in the Assembly again.
For more details of this story, see tomorrow's Canberra Times.
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