Studying amid exposed wires, leaky ceilings

The exterior of Dakabin State High School. PIC: Steve Pohlner Source: The Courier-Mail

ALMOST 90 state schools across Queensland are in a state of serious disrepair, with more than 12,000 outstanding maintenance issues needing attention.

A comprehensive "condition assessment task list" obtained by The Courier-Mail under Right to Information laws, outlined the huge number of repairs needed at state schools, from exposed electrical wires to leaky ceilings.

Dakabin State High School had the biggest backlog of work, with 302 maintenance jobs listed as outstanding and costing more than $1 million to repair.

Among the work that needed to be done was an extensive repaint, dealing with a vermin infestation in the activities hall, rusty basketball hoops, worn carpet and missing tiles throughout the school.

The Department of Education refused to give The Courier-Mail access to the school or others with a significant maintenance backlog, to inspect some of the issues.

Blocked stormwater drains, leaks, broken toilets, damaged doors and missing taps were among the most common problems throughout schools - with the total repair bill estimated to be around $300 million.

While the State Government announced $200 million in school maintenance funding in the budget to be distributed over two years, Peter Levett from the Queensland Council of Parents and Citizens Associations said more was needed.

"The problem with maintenance is that you get one job done, and you turn around to find another one needs doing," Mr Levett said.

Queensland Secondary Principals Association president Norm Fuller said the funding provided by the Newman Government was "significantly more than in the past", and would be put to good use.

"The money is starting to flow into schools, which is great to see. It means many schools will be able to make a start to jobs over the holidays," Mr Fuller said.

Despite its huge backlog of outstanding work, Dakabin State High School will not receive more than $160,000 from the government's maintenance fund this financial year.

Based on the list prepared by Q-Build, that will barely be enough to do three jobs including the removal of two large trees and eight tree stumps, and the replacement of missing floor coverings in the staff office.

Kevin Bates from the Queensland Teachers Union said he was concerned that only issues identified on the list could be addressed with the funding.

"One school told us $3000 was allocated for exploration of a leaky roof, when the real cost will probably be more like $50,000 for the roof to be replaced," said Mr Bates.

"Many of these problems date back decades. Some schools haven't had a new coat of paint since they were built."

A spokeswoman for Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said all schools with a maintenance backlog had received funding or an allocation.

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