They are the breeding ground for the next generation of businessmen and women, tradies, emergency services personnel and politicians. 

With this in mind, the utmost attention should be given to schools by the government, yet they have let a maintenance backlog across the state slip into the millions of dollars. 

It has not got to this point by accident meaning the backlog is not only the fault of the current government but former governments which failed to turn the tide around before now.

Students, teachers and school support staff should not have to make do; while a bit of innovation sets young people up for the real world, it is not too much to expect they have access to facilities which function optimally. 

The items listed as faulty in schools across the state include leaking taps and ancient paintwork. 

These are not ‘wishlist’ items, these are things which should be fixed as a matter of routine. 

When schools have students sitting in science labs which are more than half a century old and have only received minimal upgrades in this time, something is definitely wrong. 

How do we expect young people to forge a passion for science in sub-standard surroundings? 

Other schools are not faring much better. 

There is not a single public school in Harden or the surrounding district which does not rate on the maintenance backlog list.

However we got to this point, it now has to be fixed. 

Blame does need to be apportioned; we need action.

While it is understood there is a limited pool of funds and hospitals, roads and other infrastructure are just as important, budgets must be designed so schools are at the very least keeping up with maintenance, if not moving ahead. 

The backlog of funding should be immediately handed over to schools to allow maintenance tasks which have sat on the books for too long to be performed. 

Students should have the best chance at a bright future possible in an environment which does not need to be state-of-the-art, but which does need to be functional.