Termite-infested primary school granted $6 million makeover

Parents at a primary school in Melbourne’s south-east have helped secure more than $6 million in state government money, to rebuild classrooms infested with termites.

Education Minister James Merlino made the surprise funding announcement at Bonbeach Primary School this morning, admitting the current facilities are a “big problem”.

The school shut down two classrooms last year, after discovering they were infested with termites.

The state government reportedly refused to supply portables, stating its engineers had deemed the rooms ‘safe to occupy’.

Since October, teachers have been forced to hold their lessons in smaller rooms, including a staff room.

Parents started an online campaign, posting videos of the dilapidated classrooms on social media, and telling Mr Merlino that the young students “deserve better”.

“Students have been crammed into other classrooms and even a staff room as a result of the damage,” parent Narelle Legg told 9NEWS.

“The buildings have gone further and further into disrepair...(it’s been) really hard to get your voice heard.”

Mr Merlino told the packed assembly that the damaged classrooms will be demolished, and replaced.

A total of $6.3 million will be spent on rebuilding the main school building and hall, with architects to start drawing up plans within the coming weeks.

Construction will begin in early 2019.

In the meantime, Shadow Education Minister Tim Smith said students need to be moved into portable classrooms, to ensure they’re being taught in “appropriate surrounds”.

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