Funding for more classrooms, pupil increase

Hāwea Flat School is among 59 schools across the South Island that will benefit from a $62.5million budget boost for more classrooms. PHOTO: EVIE SINCLAIR

Funding for four new classrooms will allow a ‘‘squashed’’ Upper Clutha primary school to grow its roll to 500 pupils, the principal says.

Hāwea Flat School was one of 59 schools across the South Island included in a $62.5 million budget for more classrooms in a government announcement yesterday.

Hāwea Flat School principal Tania Pringle said it was essential that the pupils had the extra space the new classrooms afforded.

‘‘We need them, this allows our children not to be squashed; learning environments need to have space.

‘‘Our children will benefit and it does mean that we can meet their needs better,’’ she said.

The addition of new classrooms would allow the school’s capacity to rise from 415 to 500 pupils.

Ms Pringle said the Ministry of Education instigated the process because officials identified growth in the wider area.

‘‘These are temporary spaces while they decide on the future of education in the Hāwea zone,’’ she said.

Hāwea Flat School would receive an investment to deliver four additional classrooms Education Minister Erica Stanford said.

Ms Stanford announced yesterday during a visit to Darfield High School, in Canterbury, that students and communities across the South Island would benefit from a $62.5 million investment package to build more classrooms and upgrade others.

The funding, from Budget 2026, brought the total investment in growth in the South Island through the last three budgets to about $300 million, the post-budget announcement said.

‘‘This significant investment will deliver 59 additional classrooms across the South Island and provide funding for upgrades at other schools.’’

Other South Island schools to receive classroom funding included Fiordland College with two additional classrooms, Heddon Bush School with one additional classroom and South Westland Area School with two additional classrooms.

In addition, funding had also been set aside to buy a site for a future new high school in Queenstown.

South Island Minister James Meager said the investment was great news for South Island families and communities.

Mr Meager said as the minister for the South Island he knew how important it was that growing communities were not left behind.

‘‘This is a practical investment in the future of the South Island.

‘‘It supports students, backs growing towns, and helps deliver the facilities communities need,’’ he said.