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THE SKY High Working Group has been left in the clouds by Education Minister Bronwyn Pike over plans for a new education centre.
In April, Ms Pike presented SKY an independent consultants' report and said that while there was not enough demand for a 7-12 secondary school in the area, there was need for an education facility for the area. SKY is campaigning for a secondary college for Seddon, Kensington and Yarraville.
In April, Ms Pike said the next steps on how to proceed would be available within a couple of weeks. But SKY High spokeswoman Susan Douglass said last week they had no word since.
Ms Douglass said she understood a facility meant a years 7-9 middle school, and the group had been researching possible locations, educational models and possible industry partners.
"We're rapt we're getting something," she said. "In the next three years, I'd like to see the school (up and running)."
Ms Douglass said the group was not worried about creating a bottleneck at existing schools "because there is a lot of movement now in senior years. Schools offer different specialities, expertise and programs and children come from all over and move around depending on their needs."
But she said the group needed direction from Ms Pike. Footscray state Labor MP Marsha Thomson said there was no indication of what kind of facility her government would provide but that she had hoped the process would have moved more quickly.
"I've been speaking to people and hopefully something will happen soon," she said.
Opposition education spokesman Martin Dixon said the coalition supported a 7-9 middle school as a good first step. Enrolments would govern whether the school would expand to year 12. "It's disappointing they've been fed a scrap of information but the cynic in me says perhaps ( the government) will make further announcements closer to the election," Mr Dixon said.
The government did not respond to a request for comment.
For details, visit skyhigh.org. au or attend SKY High's AGM tomorrow (Wednesday at 8pm at Yarraville Community Centre).
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