Dr Kaye said: “The Burraga school was closed at the end of 2006 due to a shortage of students. Since then, the government has abandoned this community with empty promises.

“A bus service to the nearest public school was supposed to be provided in early 2007. It still has not appeared.

“The closest bus stop is 12 km away.

“The Greens are also very concerned that the Department of Education and Training is shifting the goalposts on re-opening the school.

“First the Burraga community was told their school needed 8 students to operate.

“Now that there are that many ready to enrol, the department has pushed the number up to 10.

“The real concern is that if the school passes the 10 students threshold, the department will turn around and say they need 12.

“The Greens will be raising the future of Burraga Public school with the Education Minister, John Della Bosca, in parliament.

“The Minister needs to explain why families in rural areas like Burraga are being treated so poorly.

“Access to a public school is crucial to the survival of the community.

“The NSW government pays lip-service to providing excellence in education to all.

“But their attitude to the people of Burraga exposes their real lack of care for rural communities,” Dr Kaye said.

For more information:    John Kaye 0407 195 455