The number of submissions to the Ministry of Education's second round of consultation on the South Dunedin schools review is significantly lower than the total received in the first round.
A ministry spokesman said only 21 submissions had been received by 2pm yesterday, but the ministry was accepting submissions until midnight last night. The number was relatively low compared with the 120 received in the first round.
The consultation process was launched by Minister of Education Anne Tolley last year in response to the 620 surplus pupil places at Calton Hill, Caversham, College St, Forbury and Macandrew Intermediate schools.
She said a review had become necessary because the roll declines could lead to reduced funding, reduced staffing and fewer educational options for pupils.
Mrs Tolley met the five schools' principals in Dunedin last month to give feedback on the first round of consultation, which ended in December. During the meeting, she gave several options for the second round of consultation.
She proposed a merger of Caversham, College Street and Calton Hill Schools on the Caversham site as a years 1-6 primary school, a years 1-8 primary school, or a primary school on the Caversham site with a campus on the Calton Hill site.
Two further options were to merge Macandrew Intermediate and Forbury Schools as a years 1-8 school on the Macandrew Intermediate School site, or close Macandrew Intermediate School and retain Forbury School as a years 1-8 school on its current site.
Mrs Tolley is expected to make a final decision on the fate of the schools in early July. The changes could be implemented from term 1 next year.
