Minister for Education, Dr Elizabeth Constable, declined to remove the condition that currently prevents the school from offering tuition in those years.

The decision has been made on the basis that allowing EACS to offer upper secondary education will have a detrimental effect on the educational offerings for Years 11 and 12 at Esperance Senior High School (ESHS).

However community leaders are adamant the school’s progress needs to take place.

Esperance Chamber of Commerce and Industry, president, Steve Neal, said that from a business point of view it would be beneficial to have the school expanded to its maximum capacity.

The school currently has 28 students and has been operating since 2008.

Esperance Regional Tourism Association, chairperson, Heather Gee, added that to have Years 11 and 12 would provide a choice for the Esperance community that is constantly growing.

“People are thinking of leaving town if this does not get approved,” she said.

Shire of Esperance, president, Ian Mickel, said parents were reluctant to enroll their children at the school due to the uncertainly of the schools future.

Southern Region Goldfields Esperance Development Commission, manager, Shayne Flanagan, said that ideally the green light from the Education Minister needed to be given as soon as possible.

“Parents need to know if their kids can continue their education here or if to book them at a Perth school,” he said.

A spokesperson for the Minister for Education said that based on analysis of submissions from key stakeholders and personal consultation in Esperance, the Minister concluded that there would be no change to the condition imposed by the previous Government on the registration of the EACS.

“In making this decision the Minister was required to focus solely on the question of detrimental effect on ESHS.

“The Anglican Schools Commission has lodged an appeal against the decision and the matter has been referred to a Non-Government Schools Registration Advisory Panel,” the spokesperson said.

The panel is currently being formed and will review the Minister’s decision and make a recommendation to the Minister, who will make a final decision.