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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
National
Sarah Lansdown

Number of demountable classrooms across ACT public schools revealed

Transportable classrooms were installed at Garran Primary School in time for the start of the 2021 school year. Picture: Elesa Kurtz

There are 148 temporary classrooms across ACT public schools following the installation of 17 new units for the start of the 2021 school year.

Education Directorate executives insist demountable classrooms are often students' favourite parts of their school.

Speaking at ACT estimates hearing on Monday, Education Directorate deputy director-general David Matthews said the relocatable units were an important part of planning for school infrastructure and catering for "bubbles in demand".

"They are very sustainable, very comfortable," he said.

"They are often chosen by students as their favourite part of the school."

When asked what evidence he had to support the claim that students preferred transportable classrooms, Mr Matthews said he had received positive feedback from the principal of Narrabundah College which has several classroom on the oval.

No survey had been conducted to collate wider feedback on the transportable classrooms.

Education Minister Yvette Berry said students named this part of the school "the village".

"Transportable classrooms are one of the most efficient ways of providing teaching spaces," she said.

"It's not a new thing for the ACT to use transportable classrooms. It has been used since before self-government."

A new type of transportable classroom called hive units were being trailed at Majura Primary School and Yarralumla Primary School.

These units can operate off the grid and can perform better than older classrooms in terms of energy efficiency.

Meanwhile, $880,000 for scholarships for teachers to study a one-year master's degree to become a teacher librarian will not lead to new jobs being created in public schools.

Ms Berry said there were 33 qualified teacher librarians in the system currently with other schools relying on passionate teachers without qualifications to keep the libraries operating.

The funding will support 10 scholarship places per year until 2025.

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