The Minns Labor Government is continuing its work to rebuild public education across NSW, with construction underway on an upgrade for Orana Heights Public School in Dubbo.
Despite the former government promising much-needed school upgrades for the families of Dubbo, students at Orana Heights have spent years learning in demountables and ageing classrooms.
The upgrade work will include replacing all eight ageing, temporary demountables at the school with permanent modern classrooms, as well as refurbishing 18 existing classrooms. The school is also receiving an expanded school hall and improvements to the library.
The Minns Labor Government is delivering these upgrades for the families of Dubbo ahead of Day 1, Term 1, 2027.
The upgrades are being delivered as part of record education funding in the 2025-26 Budget, including $2.1 billion for new and upgraded schools in regional NSW. This targeted investment will ensure growing communities have access to a world-class public education, close to home.
On top of the upgrades at Orana Heights Public School, the Minns Labor Government recently completed much needed upgrades and repairs at Dubbo South Public School.
This work was required after a fire in December 2021 destroyed several classrooms, with students moved into temporary demountables.
Despite the former Liberal National Government promising to deliver permanent replacement classrooms for Dubbo South, no construction had begun when Labor was elected in March 2023.
In addition to completing upgrades and building new schools where they are needed, the Minns Labor Government's work to rebuild public education includes ensuring each NSW classroom has a qualified teacher.
Since March 2023, the Minns Labor Government has reduced teacher vacancies by 61 per cent across NSW, leading to the number of cancelled classes in NSW nearly halving.
Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said:
"The Minns Labor Government is delivering upgraded facilities for the Orana Heights school community, as part of our record investment in regional education and communities.
"Our government, with the leadership of the Deputy Premier, is delivering modern permanent classrooms that students in Dubbo deserve after years of neglect by the Liberals and Nationals.
"For too long under the former government, families in regional NSW were promised the world, while little was delivered to the regions."
Minister for Western NSW Tara Moriarty said:
"Students in regional NSW deserve access to high quality schools, and the Minns Labor Government is continuing to make significant investment in regional communities.
"Our government is rebuilding the NSW public education system to ensure all students have access to a world-class public education and the opportunity to succeed, no matter where they live."
Duty MLC for Dubbo Stephen Lawrence said:
"The Minns Labor Government is committed to delivering much-needed regional school upgrades to communities left behind by the Liberals and Nationals.
"Only a Labor government delivers the much-needed schools for our growing regional areas."
Orana Heights Public School principal Annie Munro:
"At Orana Heights Public School our staff, students, and community are excited to be receiving new and improved facilities.
"We look forward to seeing our school community grow and thrive in these wonderful new and refurbished spaces."
