‘corporal punishment’ schools

In April, Hipkins asked for a review from the Ministry of Education on the project with all options back on the table, including co-location, co-educational or refurbishing the existing schools.

The Ministry of Education said the review was due to delays in finding a suitable site and changing market conditions that had impacted the estimated cost of the project.

Three days later, the ministry confirmed it had unsuccessfully concluded talks with the owners of all three sites.

The proposed idea was to have shared facilities and resources giving the option for more students to partake in classes offered by the other school.

Some of the classrooms at Marlborough Boys’ College date back to 1940, when Blenheim’s total population was slightly more than 5000. The school now catered to almost 1000 students.

Marlborough Boys’ College student Smith said it was time to get the new colleges off the ground and let the next generation of Marlburians prosper.

‘‘These classrooms today provide cramped and dated learning spaces, a far cry from the 21st century needs of the modern student and teaching staff alike,’’ he said.

‘‘Likewise, despite attempts at modernisation, Marlborough Girls’ College facilities are dated and no longer fit-for-purpose.

‘‘Males and females should no longer be separated and forced to conform to an outdated system. Therefore, the new co-located schools should break down these old, crumbling, outdated barriers and let the students have more choice in our education system, better preparing them for life as a well-rounded modern, contributing member of today’s society.

‘‘So, we stand here today to ask the council to consider taking a leadership role in this vital project,’’ Smith said.

‘‘We need to show the country that we care about our future, by providing a direct link between us, the people of Marlborough and the [ministry]. This would provide assurance to the people of Marlborough that we do have a say in the biggest education project in our history.’’