Auckland gets $19m to upgrade school buildings

By STUART DYE

Building will begin at schools around the country with a $60 million boost to property funds.

Education Minister Trevor Mallard said the money would go to about 130 schools in need of new buildings to cope with growth, or to replace old ones.

"It will mean schools can better accommodate increased numbers of students and teachers, and provide modern, and in many cases purpose-built, environments for better teaching and learning," he said.

The country's biggest winner is Rangiora High School in Canterbury which will receive more than $2.8 million.

Principal Peggy Burrows said it would enable the school to make the first significant building alterations in almost 20 years.

"Our roll was 1200 18 months ago and will be 1500 in January."

The money would be used for an extensive upgrade of classrooms and the library, and a new technology block, she said.

Meanwhile, in Auckland the funding will see 25 schools sharing some $19 million.

The region's largest allocation is to Westlake Boys' High, which is planning to put its $2.6 million allocation toward a new 2000-seater community auditorium.

Headmaster Jim Dale said the new building would have space for administration, student services, performing arts and a staffroom.

"It's a case of future-proofing the school for the next 15 to 20 years given the roll growth over the last decade," he said.

The allocation will not cover the total cost - the rest will come from locally-raised funds.

Other Auckland schools getting more than $1 million include Birkdale, Papatoetoe, Henderson and Blockhouse Bay intermediates.

Birkdale principal Richard Coote said the money would go toward a new library, performing arts centre and better classrooms.

"It's the best news we've had all year," he said.

Minister for Auckland Issues and Auckland Central MP Judith Tizard said the money was to ensure schools were modern and attractive places in which students felt encouraged to learn.

This funding is part of the School Property Guide (Deficiencies) Programme, which has provided funding to nearly 300 schools since 1999.

Mr Mallard said the Government had allocated $420 million in 2004-05 for new spending on school property, bringing the total funding to more than $1 billion.