Student bulge hits classrooms

A mini baby bulge has left today’s 7 to 10-year-olds facing the rest of their school years in packed classrooms, with ever-tightening enrolment zones.

By this time next year, some on the leading edge of the wave could be leaving for high schools, many of which are already packed to breaking point.

Primary schools are already dealing with the bulge by teaching classes in hall foyers, or rapidly building new classrooms.

Statistics New Zealand data shows that in 2016 – the mostrecent figures – there were more than 65,000 6-year-olds. That was 6000 more than in 2010.

Statistics NZ senior demographer Kim Dunstan said annual birth numbers were high between 2007 and 2010.

‘‘This will flow through to the secondary school ages in the early 2020s, and tertiary education ages in the late 2020s.’’

Wellington’s primary and secondary schools have 68 new classrooms in the past five years. A new primary school has been built in the northern suburb of Churton Park, and a new one is planned in north Porirua.

Ministry of Education figures show that, in Wellington alone, there are currently 10,521 secondary school spaces for 11,223 students.

Wellington Girls’ College is already over its capacity, and principal Julia Davidson hoped it would be able to build another block.

‘‘We are 20 classrooms short,’’ Davidson said. It had considered using the staff room for classes, and canvassed senior students about starting school at 7.30am.

The Thorndon school would eventually have to look at shrinking its zone – a move that would come sooner if the new building did not get Government funding.

The Ministry of Education’s Katrina Casey said Wellington High School was in a similar position to Wellington Girls’.

Tightening zones or reducing out-of-zone students were options that should be considered for schools with ballooning rolls.

Building new classrooms or schools were also options.

Post-Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) president Jack Boyle said the problem was nationwide and would only worsen.

‘‘The population bulge is really going to hit hard over the next five years.’’