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Lead dust has been found in more ACT schools as the Education Directorate rolls out new sustainable demountable classrooms. Education Minister Yvette Berry confirmed that more public schools had discovered lead contamination since the hazardous substance was found at Richardson Primary School, but she could not say which schools they were. “[The schools] all have hazardous materials plans,” Ms Berry said. “None of the testing has identified any lead dust in any of the teaching and learning spaces as far as I’m advised.” The Education Directorate was asked for further details on which schools had been affected by contamination but did not respond to questions from The Canberra Times. Four ACT schools have had to undergo lead dust remediation since July last year. Ms Berry said the majority of the territory’s schools contained hazardous materials. ACT Liberals education spokesman Jeremy Hanson called on the government to publish a full list of schools affected by lead paint and asbestos. “The ACT Labor-Greens Government has confirmed that lead dust has been found in more government schools but has failed to tell parents if their kids’ school is affected,” Mr Hanson said. “The number of government schools that have been found to contain hazardous materials is alarming. “Last year, the government indicated that 69 schools were identified as containing hazardous materials. This number appears to be growing. “Education Minister Yvette Berry’s response has been slow and inadequate.” Meanwhile, Majura Primary School has started using a new type of demountable classroom which has the capacity to run off the grid. READ MORE: The buildings feature double glazing, blackout blinds, air quality monitors, solar panels and batteries. “They have their own water collection so can operate completely off the grid,” Ms Berry said. “They are completely sustainable and have a life of at least 20 years but given the quality of these ones I expect that they will probably go for more than 20 years.” The new classrooms cost $530,000, considerably more expensive than the other type of transportable classrooms which cost $360,000. Majura Primary School principal Liz Bobos said the mild weather this year had meant the heat and cooling in the units hadn’t been tested yet. “I know one of the children said to me last year, ‘My mum says that these are going to be horrible and hot’, and now the kids are like, ‘Oh my God, they’re amazing’.” As with other inner-north schools, Ms Bobos said the school had felt the pressure to keep up with growing numbers of children. “We’ve grown significantly from last year to this year. And I think we will be on the increase with numbers for the next few years yet so it’s something we’ve got to keep monitoring.” Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
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Lead dust has been found in more ACT schools as the Education Directorate rolls out new sustainable demountable classrooms.
Education Minister Yvette Berry confirmed that more public schools had discovered lead contamination since the hazardous substance was found at Richardson Primary School, but she could not say which schools they were.
“[The schools] all have hazardous materials plans,” Ms Berry said.
“None of the testing has identified any lead dust in any of the teaching and learning spaces as far as I’m advised.”
The Education Directorate was asked for further details on which schools had been affected by contamination but did not respond to questions from The Canberra Times.
Four ACT schools have had to undergo lead dust remediation since July last year. Ms Berry said the majority of the territory’s schools contained hazardous materials.
ACT Liberals education spokesman Jeremy Hanson called on the government to publish a full list of schools affected by lead paint and asbestos.
“The ACT Labor-Greens Government has confirmed that lead dust has been found in more government schools but has failed to tell parents if their kids’ school is affected,” Mr Hanson said.
“The number of government schools that have been found to contain hazardous materials is alarming.
“Last year, the government indicated that 69 schools were identified as containing hazardous materials. This number appears to be growing.
“Education Minister Yvette Berry’s response has been slow and inadequate.”
Meanwhile, Majura Primary School has started using a new type of demountable classroom which has the capacity to run off the grid.
The buildings feature double glazing, blackout blinds, air quality monitors, solar panels and batteries.
“They have their own water collection so can operate completely off the grid,” Ms Berry said.
“They are completely sustainable and have a life of at least 20 years but given the quality of these ones I expect that they will probably go for more than 20 years.”
The new classrooms cost $530,000, considerably more expensive than the other type of transportable classrooms which cost $360,000.
Majura Primary School principal Liz Bobos said the mild weather this year had meant the heat and cooling in the units hadn’t been tested yet.
“I know one of the children said to me last year, ‘My mum says that these are going to be horrible and hot’, and now the kids are like, ‘Oh my God, they’re amazing’.”
As with other inner-north schools, Ms Bobos said the school had felt the pressure to keep up with growing numbers of children.
“We’ve grown significantly from last year to this year. And I think we will be on the increase with numbers for the next few years yet so it’s something we’ve got to keep monitoring.”
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
