VPRS 8800 Capital Expenditure Works Files: Consolidated Schools

The process of consolidation of small rural schools in Victoria to form central institutions apparently commenced in 1940's. Consolidated Schools were central rural schools to which the children from the surrounding districts were conveyed. Departmental policy on consolidation emerged clearly by 1948. A consolidated school would not be established in a district unless a minimum of 200 pupils could be assured. By 1948 the Department had four consolidated schools. By 1958 thirty two consolidated schools had opened. The last consolidated school was opened at Corryong in 1958.This series consists of capital expenditure work files relating to construction, alteration and extension of State Consolidated Schools.Files usually contain the original paper setting out the case for the new building or for additions: the Education Department's requisition for works; the Public Works Department's approvals; plans; maps; the Minister's approval for expenditure; and correspondence concerning the proposal, the letting of the contract and progress made.The pre-1956 correspondence relates to capital expenditure works which should have been filed on the relevant building file located in VPRS 3851 have been filed on these files.