Victorian Coalition pledges more select-entry high schools if elected

The Victorian Coalition has announced its intention to construct three new select-entry high schools in Melbourne's rapidly developing outer suburbs should it secure victory in the upcoming November state election. Currently, Victoria boasts four fully selective secondary schools, but Opposition Leader Jess Wilson asserts there is a rising demand for additional academic achiever colleges.

If elected, Premier Ben Carroll and Mrs. Wilson would oversee the establishment of these schools by 2030. In addition to building three new schools, six existing institutions would be retooled to cater specifically to high-achieving students, effectively doubling the available selective places for top-performing students across the state.

To facilitate the construction of these academic achiever colleges, the Coalition plans to purchase land in Melbourne's three fastest-growing regions. Western suburbs will host a school in either Melton, Caroline Springs, or Sydenham, while northern suburbs will see a college in Craigieburn or Roxburgh Park. Potential locations for the southern suburbs include Langwarrin or Cranbourne South.

Victoria presently hosts four select-entry schools: Melbourne High School in South Yarra, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School in Albert Park, Nossal High School in Berwick, and Suzanne Cory High School in Werribee. These schools have been the subject of past political pledges during the 2006 Victorian state election by both the Bracks Labor government and the Baillieu Coalition opposition, with two schools eventually built in Melbourne's outer suburbs.

Named after research biologist Sir Gustav Nossal and eminent molecular biologist Suzanne Cory, these schools cater to students in Melbourne's south-east and western suburbs, respectively. Additionally, the John Monash Science School in Clayton operates its own entrance exam and separate entry criteria.

Opposition Leader Jess Wilson emphasized that numerous Victorian students are denied select-entry school placements compared to New South Wales, which boasts 21 fully selective schools and 26 partially selective institutions that accept both high-performing and local students. Opposition education spokesman Brad Rowswell highlighted that select-entry schools offer Victorian students the chance to excel within the government school system, irrespective of their postcode.

He expressed his desire for every Victorian student to have the opportunity to succeed, thrive, and achieve their full potential. The establishment of these schools, according to Rowswell, will strengthen Victoria's state education system, providing students with more opportunities to excel and offering parents greater school choice.

The Coalition's announcement comes as the Victorian election campaign progresses, with Premier Ben Carroll also pledging tougher penalties for rapists, sex offenders, and family violence perpetrators during the campaign.