Schools battle to squeeze in pupils

Auckland's population boom is forcing some primary schools to hold classes in their school halls as they struggle to cope with demand for places.

Schools must accept pupils who live within their designated zones before taking out-of-zone students.

But problems are arising for schools in areas where there has been high population growth, including Waimauku, Tamaki Edge, Hingaia, Hobsonville and Albany.

With schools currently working out their numbers for 2006, some principals warn there will be no places for out-of-zone students, and predict it may also be difficult to teach all pupils living in-zone unless the Ministry of Education helps fund more facilities.

They also say they don't have enough room to house many students, with some classes being held in halls and other makeshift facilities.

The ministry's manager of network provision, Brenda Radford, said roll growth was linked to population growth so some areas were hit harder, with the worst-affected being Flat Bush, Tamaki Edge, Hingaia, Waimauku, Hobsonville and Albany.

The ministry constantly monitored population changes to ensure school facilities matched the predicted school-age population. Consultation would soon begin on seven new schools in Flatbush, Manukau city, with three other schools due to open at the start of 2006 in Albany, Wattle Downs and Otara.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY