Recently appointed Education Minister Rob Stokes vowed to build at least 12 schools annually, to accommodate growth in government school enrollments to 2031.

The department's review of its demographic projections shows that trends, projected student demand and capacity available at Yass Public School means “a new primary school will not be required in Murrumbateman until after 2026.” 

“However, the department will continue to monitor growth in the area to determine when a new school is needed,” a spokesperson said. 

The department expects over 80 per cent of the projected growth to occur in the Sydney metro areas.

Convener of the Murrumbateman School Association Mike Reid says he is outraged Murrumbateman was not being considered. 

“We have such a strong case here... 13 buses go into Canberra from Murrumbateman each day, and even more kids travel with their parents,” he said. “The bus contract is approximately $2 million a year, most of which should be spent on infrastructure.” 

The school was estimated to cost around $12 million but would educate the 530 primary and high school-aged children in Murrumbateman and surrounds.

A recently signed Memorandum of Understanding by the ACT and NSW governments will tackle cross-border education.

NSW Cross-border Commissioner James McTavish says it is only a matter of time before ACT schools start shutting those from NSW out. 

“There are about four-and-a-half thousand kids that go into the ACT to school each day and the ACT has been quite good at bringing them in,” he said. 

“What we want is a very open policy that is available to constituents that says if you're an out-of-area placement, you’re not guaranteed a spot.  

“At the moment, that is unclear to constituents ... they have to realise it’s an ACT school funded by the commonwealth and they [ACT schools] have every right to put the ACT kids first.”