Marlborough’s ageing stable of

‘‘Enough is enough,’’ say Marlborough youth fed up with classrooms built when caning was still a thing.

Youth councillor Sam Smith said society had changed, and education had to change with it.

The Marlborough Youth Council presented the passionate argument in favour of the proposed colocation of Blenheim schools during the long-term plan submissions at the Marlborough District Council this week.

Smith appealed to the council to take ‘‘a leadership role in this vital project’’.

The curriculum catered only to the majority and co-located schools could break down the crumbling and outdated barriers to modern learning, he said.

‘‘Boys have metal work and girls have sewing, don’t we all agree that this concept is a bit outdated?’’

In 2015, the Ministry of Education announced plans to colocate Marlborough Girls’ and Marlborough Boys’ colleges at an estimated cost of $63 million. Education Minister Chris Hipkins last month confirmed costs were more likely to top $100m.

Co-location meant both colleges would be relocated onto one site but would remain singlesex schools.

However, despite finding multiple suitable locations, talks to acquire the land for the project were unsuccessful.

In October 2016, the Marlborough Boys’ College received documents under the Official Information Act from a Treasury cabinet committee report calling the project ‘‘unjustified’’, saying there were not ‘‘sufficient options, analysis or justification for the proposed $63.2m investment’’.

A month later The Ministry of Education publicly announced an Alabama Road vineyard as its preferred site for the proposal, showing that plans were still on track. The ministry was also looking at the Waterlea Racecourse and a Battys Rd property.