Blackstone State School is a culturally significant education facility that must be saved from closure, Queensland Senator, Russell Trood, said today.

“The Bligh Government’s policy of scrapping smaller schools in favour of large facilities is short sighted and ignores the benefits derived from a personalised learning environment that many parents are looking for,” Senator Trood said.

Blackstone State School has provided an excellent teaching environment for over 122 years.

Recent investments have ensured that every classroom has a computer and airconditioning, and the school’s oval, Prep room and storage shed have been upgraded.

The school community’s enthusiasm was recognised by the former Howard Government when it received funding for a $40,000 multipurpose court under the $1 billion Investing in Our Schools Programme.

Senator Trood, a former university lecturer, officially opened the court in May 2006.

“Under the Coalition’s programme, schools received funding for the projects that they needed most, and grants were paid directly to school communities,” Senator Trood said.

A recently released report by Sydney University found that Rudd’s funding for public schools is well below the levels provided by the Howard Government.

“Merely throwing students together in a larger school will not address the problem of under-achieving students,” Senator Trood said.

“Smaller schools can give underperforming students greater attention, affording improved skills.”

“There is obviously a need in the community for smaller schools, as illustrated by Blackstone State School, where families have followed a tradition of entrusting their children’s education for a number of generations,” Senator Trood said.

“It is little wonder that parents and friends don’t want the closure to go ahead, they are obviously passionate in their support of Blackstone and its place in the community,” Senator Trood said.