Roe MLA Peter Rundle has renewed calls for the State Government to support the community of Munglinup with housing for teachers, stating staff turnover continued to be high because of a lack of accommodation.

Mr Rundle has called for a “workable solution” to the teacher housing issue in the remote community to help with teacher attraction and retention at Munglinup Primary School west of Esperance.

He said land was allocated by the Shire of Ravensthorpe in 2018 for this purpose and the Department of Education approved a purpose-built residence to support teaching staff, but after several delays the house was redeployed elsewhere.

Mr Rundle said Munglinup needed to be a priority as the lack of housing was contributing to a high turnover of students at the school, leading to poorer educational outcomes.

“A kindy student having three teachers in the first semester does not set them up for educational success,” he said.

“No parent, urban or rural, would find that scenario acceptable.

“Potential employees for businesses in the area are seeking a stable education for their children and will choose to go elsewhere if they feel this is not offered in the town.”

While Government Regional Officer Housing was available in Jerdacuttup, Cascades and Esperance, this leaves Munglinup teachers with a 38km, 44km or 110km journey to and from work each day.

“To provide this level of education, teachers need to be assured their safety and welfare are a top priority when they apply for these positions,” Mr Rundle said.

“Teachers are driving long distances to work with the added worry of large agricultural machinery on the roads and driving into the sun both ways, never mind the expense.”