Garston School will receive three new classrooms as part of a larger $27 million funding package into Otago-Southland schools.

The Government is building a new school and new classrooms at five schools for 840 extra students in Southland and Otago.

Education Minister Chris Hipkins released the Education Growth Plans for the Otago-Southland region at Shotover Primary School in Queenstown this morning.

“We know Queenstown is one of the fastest growing areas in the country and we need to be ready for it. The plan forecasts new classrooms and schools for about 5,000 extra students may be needed in Otago and Southland’s highest growth areas by 2030," he said.

Today’s release of the regional growth plan was part of the wider National Education Growth Plan (NEGP), which forecast that an additional 100,000 new student places are needed across the country by 2030, he said.

The Government has earmarked $17 million to build a new primary school in the Wakatipu Basin, providing space for an additional 400 students, and $10 million has been allocated for up to 20 new classrooms, accommodating 440 students, at five schools in Otago and Southland.

The schools are:

Shotover Primary School – 6 new classrooms providing an additional 132 student places, (on top of new classrooms that are already underway).

Alexandra School – 4 new classrooms providing an additional 88 student places.

Hawea Flat School, Wanaka – 4 new classrooms providing an additional 88 student places

Garston School – 3 new classrooms providing an additional 66 student places

Cromwell Primary School – 3 new classrooms providing an additional 66 student places

“This is a $27 million investment in Southland and Otago schools, and further announcements will be made for schools in these regions when planning is more advanced,” Mr Hipkins said.