Ashburton Intermediate is one of six schools chosen for national government school infrastructure funding.
The funding will mean eight new learning spaces, replacing two older buildings, with construction expected to begin within the next six months.
School principal Brent Gray said he was pleased the building project will continue and was looking forward to seeing the completion of the classroom spaces.
“It is a process that has been ongoing since 2017, and we are grateful that works put on hold in 2023 can now continue. This will mean that all of our students can be in fit-forpurpose classroom environments going forward.’’
Rangitata MP James Meager also welcomed the news of property upgrades at Ashburton Intermediate and said the upgrade will make a real difference for local students and teachers.
“Ashburton Intermediate is a great school, and these new classrooms will help ensure students are learning in spaces that are warm, dry, and fit for purpose,” he said.
“I am excited for the children who will benefit from this announcement and for the wider Ashburton community.”
Education Minister Erica Stanford said in a statement that the $2 billion investment into school infrastructure will bring facilities up to standard at six schools nationwide.
“As Minister, I’m delighted that six schools will be receiving these major redevelopments, covering 52 teaching spaces up and down the country. These projects are rolling out as part of the government’s investment through Budget 24 and 25,” Stanford said.
“We have prioritised school infrastructure to get school communities the classrooms, upgrades, and maintenance work they have long waited for.
“We’ve significantly reduced the average cost of a classroom by increasing the use of off-site manufactured builds and repeatable designs, and delivered 583 classrooms last year alone, 31 per cent more than in 2023.”
“That means more classrooms, delivered faster, providing better learning environments for our kids and better value for taxpayers,” she said.
The other schools to get funding are: Kerikeri High School, Northland, 12 replacement classrooms; Pinehill School (Browns Bay), Auckland, three replacement classrooms; Hutt Intermediate, Wellington, 14 replacement classrooms; Natone Park School, Wellington, seven replacement classrooms and admin space; and Maruawai College, Southland, eight replacement specialist classrooms.
