Millions pour into the Bay for new classrooms

Education Minister Hekia Parata (pictured during her last visit to Tauranga, at Welcome Bay School) has announced more money for Bay schools to build new classrooms. Photo/file

Millions of dollars continue to pour into the Bay of Plenty to fund the construction of new classrooms to help meet the ongoing demand from the region's booming population.

Matua Primary School and Katikati Primary School will receive their share of about $2.7m to help build three new classrooms. Tairua School in the Coromandel will be given funding for two new classrooms.

Education Minister Hekia Parata announced the news in a statement this morning.

"The Bay of Plenty and Coromandel are experiencing population growth and this is having a flow-on effect on school rolls," Ms Parata said.

"We're committed to providing new classrooms for schools that need extra capacity."

Today's announcement is part of a second round of investments in new classrooms under Budget 2016, which provides $882.5 million for school property, including 480 classrooms nationwide to meet roll growth.

"Oropi, Welcome Bay and Maungatapu Schools in Tauranga all received new classrooms under the first round of funding announced in June," said Ms Parata.

"At the same time, associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye and I also announced $18 million for a new school in the Pyes Pa area in Tauranga.

"More announcements as part of the second round of roll growth investments will be made over the coming weeks, with a third round expected in February next year.

"We want to support students to achieve to the very best of their potential, and providing the right physical learning environment is an important part of this."

Matua Primary School is a member of the Otumoetai Community of Learning.

Communities of Learning are about schools working together to share expertise and lift students achievement.