Mr Woodhams highlighted the case of one particular student who was forced to undertake her schooling at home because of the health issues associated with being in classrooms.

“This student is suffering illnesses associated with spores that are growing in the ceiling, walls, floors and air-conditioners. The poor maintenance on old demountables has forced this girl from the school and caused her mother to quit work so she can teach her daughter at home,” he said.

Mr Woodhams said Dongara District High had several old demountables that were past their use by date. They either needed to be repaired or totally replaced, as the Government’s maintenance program had failed.

“We have buildings that are hazardous and unsafe. Students and staff are working in conditions that expose them to a range of health and safety issues. In wet weather we have the situation where rainwater leaks into light fittings. This is something that should not be tolerated,” Mr Woodhams said.

“I know the staff have done their best to highlight a range of structural issues with the buildings, but either the Department of Education hierarchy or the Government is ignoring these basic pleas.”

Mr Woodhams said he couldn’t understand the Minister for Education’s lack of knowledge about schools like Dongara District High School which had been continually brought to the Government’s attention as badly in need of a major capital works program.

“The Minister, like many people in the Labor Government, is not particularly interested in the conditions or outcomes of those living in regional communities,” he said.

“People in Dongara know that I have consistently made this Government aware of the need for a major building program on the DDHS campus.”

Mr Woodhams questioned why conditions like those at Dongara District High School were allowed to continue during a period of economic boom in Western Australia.