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The New Zealand Government has decided to stop the construction of open-plan classrooms, shifting its focus towards creating flexible classroom designs aimed at improving educational outcomes.
The decision comes after feedback from domestic schools regarding the apparent limitations of open-plan environments.
The government has indicated that future classroom designs will adhere to standardised models that emphasise adaptability rather than open layouts.
Features such as glass sliding doors will be incorporated, allowing spaces to be configured for collaborative learning or closed off for individual study, the government said.
In line with this new approach, Wellington will receive a NZ$25m ($14.8m) investment targeting areas with increasing student populations.
Newlands Intermediate is set to gain ten new classrooms while Aotea College will benefit from the addition of 16 classrooms.
New Zealand Minister of Education Erica Stanford said: “Overwhelming feedback I’ve received from schools across New Zealand is open-plan classrooms aren’t meeting the needs of students.
“While open-plan designs were originally intended to foster collaboration, they have often created challenges for schools, particularly around noise and managing student behaviour.
“This government is focused on raising achievement and closing the equity gap and an important part of our reform package is ensuring learning spaces are designed to improve student outcomes.
“In many cases, open-plan classrooms reduce flexibility, rather than enhance it. We have listened to the sector and new classrooms will no longer be open plan.”
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