Fewer school zones than in 1999

By STUART DYE

The number of school zones is dropping.

According to figures released to the Herald there were 495 schools with zones after the scheme was introduced in its current form in 1999.

But this year only 474 schools nationwide had zones - 18.7 per cent of the 2541 schools in New Zealand.

Education Minister Trevor Mallard said there was often a perception that the number of zones was increasing, but the figures showed that was not so.

However, there remained steady growth in the population boom areas such as Auckland, Canterbury and Wellington.

There was a sharp drop in the number of zones in 2000 when new legislation meant schools had to demonstrate a shortage before adopting an enrolment scheme.

But the growth since then had not reached the levels of 1999 when the Government effectively took control of zoning, Mr Mallard said.

Education Ministry officials predict a growing number of primary schools will start applying to scrap their schemes as the population bulge moves through primary age.

Ray Webb, the ministry's manager of student support, said staff were gearing up for a rash of applications from primary schools wanting to remove their enrolment scheme.

One school which has already lodged an application is Swanson Primary in Waitakere City.

Principal Kay Wright said for the school to cement a consistent funding level it must retain a certain number of students. "Student numbers determine school resourcing," Ms Wright said.

"Maintaining the present roll numbers would enable the board to keep skilled staff and an effective infrastructure, thereby progressing students' learning."

But Mr Mallard warned more secondary schools might have to adopt zones.

"There's likely to be more schools built, particularly around Manukau and the Albany basin in Auckland, and these schools will need enrolment schemes in order to grow them in an orderly way," he said.

It is also likely some Auckland secondary schools will need to amend or tighten their zones to cope with rising student numbers as the population bulge shifts through the system.

The twilight zone

* Enrolment schemes were introduced to prevent overcrowding while ensuring all children had a right to a place at their local school.

* But they have proved unpopular with parents keen to choose their child's school.

* And as schemes are amended to cope with population spurts, some parents have found themselves dumped from a school zone, meaning their children are forced to attend sometimes lower decile schools, and often affecting house prices.

* About a third of all students attend a school with an enrolment scheme.