By Jessica Rowe
Schools in the eastern suburbs of Christchurch have lost hundreds of students since the February earthquake, and they are now expecting to lose even more.
With 5,000 homes in the red zone, many families will be leaving their homes for good, and with the drop in enrolments, schools fear significant cuts to funding and staff.
60 students have left Burwood Primary since the February earthquake, and now the school is set to lose even more, with 170 children living in the red and orange zones.
“47 percent are in the red and orange zone, so essentially we are guaranteed about 53 percent will probably stay. The rest will move on,” says principal Doug Watkinson.
On the first of July every school has to submit their roll numbers to the Ministry of Education to determine the amount of funding they will receive the following year.
Avondale Primary has 120 fewer students than this time last year, and about 50 of those are living in the red and orange zones.
The principal says the drop in roll numbers could bring significant cuts to funding.
“You don't need to be a rocket scientist to know if you are 120 down on your optimum amount from last year, that is going to generate staffing cuts”.
High schools in the eastern suburbs are also struggling.
Avonside Girls High School suffered major damage in the earthquake, and the school is now in the white zone, meaning the damage is yet to be assessed.
In the meantime, students continue to be bussed across town across town to Burnside High School as they wait for the fate of their school to be known.
The Ministry has met with a number of schools in the area this week, and will be making some tough decisions on their future.
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