Education Minister Erica Stanford to Revamp School Designs

Education Minister Erica Stanford is scheduled to announce significant changes to school property designs during a media briefing in Auckland at 11:30 a.m. today. This announcement follows earlier revelations regarding the government’s decision to move away from open-plan classrooms in favour of traditional designs that emphasize flexibility and adaptability.

Shift from Open-Plan Classrooms

In her recent statements, Stanford highlighted the overwhelming feedback from schools across New Zealand indicating that open-plan classrooms have not adequately served the needs of students. She noted, “While open-plan designs were originally intended to foster collaboration, they have often created challenges for schools, particularly around noise and managing student behaviour.”

According to Stanford, many educators found that open-plan layouts reduced flexibility rather than enhancing it. She affirmed, “We have listened to the sector and new classrooms will no longer be open plan.” The government plans to construct all new classrooms using standard designs that promote versatility rather than open configurations.

One key feature of the new designs includes the installation of glass sliding doors. This design allows spaces to be opened for collaborative activities while also providing the option to close them for focused learning, thus catering to a variety of teaching and learning styles. Stanford emphasized that this approach aims to create fit-for-purpose environments conducive to improved student outcomes.

Investment in New Classrooms

During the announcement, Stanford also revealed that Aotea College will receive funding for 16 new classrooms. This decision comes in response to concerns regarding the functionality of existing open-plan classrooms, which have been criticized for not supporting effective learning outcomes.

“The lack of functionality of the open design meant spaces could not be shared or multipurpose due to disruption and noise,” Stanford explained. “This investment will deliver new, standard teaching spaces that better meet the needs of both students and staff.”

This initiative is part of the government’s broader reform package aimed at raising educational achievement and closing the equity gap. As Stanford noted, ensuring that learning environments are thoughtfully designed is essential to enhancing student success.

As the announcement unfolds, the education community and stakeholders will be keenly observing the government’s commitment to improving learning spaces across the country.