A controversial plan to shut down a student boarding facility in regional Western Australia has been scrapped after the federal government offered an $8.7 million refurbishment.
The state government had insisted it would not reverse its plan to close Moora Residential College by the end of the year, despite a grassroots campaign and protests against the decision.
It was earlier forced to backflip on a decision to close School of The Air after widespread condemnation.
But on Tuesday, the federal government announced it would pay for a refurbishment of Moora Residential College under its community development grants program.
The WA government has also agreed to provide recurrent funding of up to $500,000 per year for the facility, which caters for about 30 students.
Moora Residential College was opened in 1974, allowing isolated children to access boarding accommodation to attend Central Midlands Senior High School.
The state government announced in December that the facility would close as part of budget savings measures, saying independent reports showed a major investment was needed to keep it running.
Premier Mark McGowan said $60,000 was required this year to improve fire detection and warning systems.
"Our decision to close the boarding facility was an extremely tough decision, but it was made in the context of the dire financial situation we inherited," he said on Tuesday.
Mr McGowan thanked Senator Mathias Cormann, who made the funding offer.
The premier conceded some parents might have made alternative plans for the next school year, but said the Education Department would work with them.
The Nationals WA leader Mia Davies described it as a "hard-earned victory for people power".
"Our Nationals team made a commitment that we would not rest until this heartless decision was reversed and today we have got the outcome we have been fighting for," Ms Davies said.
The Liberal Party, The Nationals and WA Farmers have called on the state government to reverse other education cuts.
