Independent Member for Alfred Cove, Dr Janet Woollard MLA, has tabled a petition in Parliament on behalf of the Parents and Citizens’ Association of Applecross Primary School, to have the school roof replaced.

The petition contains over 200 signatures and requests the Minister for Education, the Honourable Dr Elizabeth Constable MLA, to replace the school roof as a matter of priority.

“Children are having lessons in classrooms where teachers put buckets on the floor to catch the rain dripping through the leaking ceilings,” said Dr Woollard.

“The minor repairs that have been done to the roof over the years have been ineffective in fixing the problem.”

In May 2009, the Government announced a $20 million roof replacement program for priority schools as part of the 2009-2010 Budget.

“Considering the state of this school’s roof, I am hopeful it will be chosen as one of the schools to have its roof replaced as a matter of priority,” said Dr Woollard.

Fiona Schwab, P & C President of Applecross Primary School, says the battle to get a new roof has been a long, ongoing one.

“We have been trying in vain for over 5 years to get the Government to pay for a new roof,” Ms Schwab said.

“As soon as winter hits and the heavy rains start, the leaks reopen and the situation has become worse over time.”

An independent report commissioned by the Government in 2004 identified that the school’s roof had deteriorated to the point where it should be replaced by the end of that year.

“I am fully behind this campaign and will continue working not only with Applecross Primary School but with all schools in my electorate, to clear the backlog of repair and maintenance jobs in schools as soon as possible,” said Dr Woollard.