Education Minister Erica Stanford is seeking community consultation on her proposal to close Taieri Beach and Waitahuna schools.
Taieri Beach board of trustees chairwoman Stacey Penrose said despite the school having a roll of eight pupils and nine enrolled for next year, it was going to oppose the proposal.
"The school board, staff and parents are committed to keeping our schooling facility open at Taieri Mouth," Ms Penrose said.
The school had been attended by multi-generational family members in the Taieri Mouth area.
Ms Penrose said it had worked hard to achieve a growing roll in an area that is continuing to show significant development.
"The school board’s hopes are high for a sustainable future for Taieri Beach School, with positive ERO reports and the strong sense of community built within this school environment."
The school opened 163 years ago and provided a nature-based education programme.
Its roll had fallen from 25 to fewer than 10 in 2019 and was down to two pupils in 2023.
Nonetheless, principal Gloria Penrice told the Otago Daily Times it had a future because of its innovative, nature-based learning programme.
Waitahuna School could not be contacted for comment yesterday, but it has told the ministry it wants to remain open.
The South Otago School celebrated its 150th anniversary last month and has a roll of seven pupils.
Ministry of Education south leader Andrea Williams said it was currently consulting on a proposal to close the schools because both had declining rolls.
Taieri Beach School has had a declining roll for the past 10 years, and Waitahuna School for the past five years, Ms Williams said.
Based on population projections, the number of primary-aged children was expected to stay the same or decline in the next 30 years so there would not be an increase in demand for schooling in those areas.
Taieri Beach School received written notice of the proposal on October 21, and Waitahuna School received written notice on October 28.
Discussions with both schools began prior to the formal notifications.
"We are now consulting with the boards of both schools, as well as nearby schools that could receive students if the closures were to go ahead," Ms Williams said.
Other schools in Taieri Beach School’s area included Big Rock Primary (Brighton), Tokoiti and Waihola District schools.
Waitahuna School had the Lawrence Area, Tokoiti, Clutha Valley and Milton schools close by.
No final decision had been made yet.
However, after the consultation period closes on December 12, the ministry would prepare a report for Ms Stanford and if she was satisfied that the schools should close, the boards of the schools would be given 28 days to provide any final arguments before a final decision was made.
Ms Williams said both schools had expressed a desire to remain open and the ministry was carefully considering all feedback from the consultation process.
