Millions to be spent on transportable classrooms

Thousands of New Zealand children will be taught in portable classrooms. Photo of an artist's impression of the classrooms / Supplied

Thousands of New Zealand children will be taught in portable classrooms after the Government placed a $100 million order for the buildings.

The classrooms could halve the time it currently takes to replace damaged school buildings or install more needed because of roll growth, the Government said.

At least 50 transportable classrooms will be delivered to schools each year under the 10-year contract, announced today.

The Ministry of Education has previously faced criticism over the speed of its response to damaged or substandard school buildings or to roll growth, particularly in Auckland where intensification is putting pressure on many schools.

Arson is a common threat for schools, and others are teaching students in cold and mouldy classrooms while they await substantial rebuilds to be approved.

Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye said the new contract with the consortium Interlink would be "invaluable" in situations where a new building was needed as soon as possible.

The portable classrooms would be high-quality and match the same standards as modern, permanent structures, she said.

"The new transportables are modular, which means they can be put together in a number of different ways to create whatever learning space is needed - everything from a single or double storey classroom to a dance and drama studio.

"Current estimates are that it will take just four to six months from when an order is confirmed to installation on-site. Previously, it could take at least eight months to complete this process."

The transportable buildings were able to be transferred between schools many times, Ms Kaye said.

The contract is worth more than $100 million over 10 years and the classrooms will be built in factories in Auckland and Christchurch.