Is there a future for small rural schools? : the closure of Hunter School : a case study
Abstract
In New Zealand, small rural schools situated away from cities have falling rolls
due to changes in population. While these schools are under pressure to
amalgamate or close, small schools are viewed by principals, teachers, parents
and trustees to be effective at utilising resources available to benefit educational
opportunities for students and providing rewarding experiences for teachers.
For the subject of the case study, Hunter School, the contributions made by the
school's community due to a feeling of ownership were the major contributing
factor to its financial and educational success. The contributions, through
fundraising, school fees and voluntary help made it possible to purchase assets
and undertake educational programmes that would otherwise not be available.
The community will feel a sense of loss when the school closes, which will affect
their feeling of ownership.
The author proposes that small schools be the preferred primary school format
and that government consider capital input into a network of small schools to
maintain cost-effective quality education for rural, small town and urban areas.... [Show full abstract]
Keywords
rural schools; Hunter School; rural communities; ownership; small schoolsFields of Research
160804 Rural Sociology; 130105 Primary Education (excl. Māori)Date
1997-11Type
MonographAccess Rights
This Kellogg Rural Leaders Programme report can be viewed only by current staff and students of Lincoln University.Collections
Copyright © The Author.
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