Boys' school infested with rats

Whangarei Boys' High School board of trustees chair Tim Robinson outside a block that, while nicely painted, has been the source of a rat infestation. Photo / John Stone

Classrooms in one of Northland's largest schools are infested with rats, growing mould and are not up to earthquake strengthening requirements.

That was despite the serious health and safety concerns at Whangarei Boys' High School being pointed out by the Ministry of Education more than three years ago.

The school had now spent more than the funds allocated for building maintenance, in some instances using money which would usually go towards teaching the students.

The rat revelation comes just four days after Associate Minister Nikki Kaye announced a $14 million rebuild of Northland College.

Whangarei Boys' High School board of trustees chair Tim Robinson said the school needed a "significant" amount of rebuilding. The board was told by the ministry a full development plan would be ready by the end of last year. However, each month it kept being put off.

"It is astonishing how slowly things move," he said.

Head of education infrastructure service Kim Shannon said the ministry provided all state schools with a lump sum every five years, which they could use to upgrade, modernise and replace school buildings.

"The majority of building work carried out at schools is funded in this way, and we expect school boards to prioritise their funding to ensure schools are healthy and safe," Ms Shannon said.

"The Whangarei Boys' High School board received around $1.36 million in 2011 as part of their five-year property funding, and this has been spent on essential infrastructure maintenance, such as roofing repairs, heating upgrades and essential health and safety works. In the last three years, we have undertaken a range of condition-related investigations of Whangarei Boys' High School property, and have been working with them to develop a long-term property plan for the school.

"Part of this process is to identify what buildings are cost effective to repair and what buildings may have to be replaced.

"There are no outstanding health and safety issues at Whangarei Boys' High School. If schools are facing urgent health and safety issues and they have already spent their property funding, the ministry is able to step in to help the school."

While the school was responsible for maintenance, the Government was responsible for replacing or rebuilding school property. Four blocks, each with between 5-8 classrooms, did not meet earthquake requirements and needed to be seismically strengthened.

Mr Robinson said two blocks of classrooms were heavily infested with rats, although the school had done its best to address the issue with extensive trapping and baiting. But the rats came from a stream close to the school, with the old buildings making it impossible to keep them out, particularly in the ceilings.

"The stench at times has just been awful," he said. It was an issue that would not be sorted until the buildings were replaced. One of those blocks, the science block with eight classrooms, also had serious water leak issues, as did the language block with seven classrooms and the gym. The leaks had created extensive mould issues. There was also an issue with the fire safety systems, which were now were largely non-compliant, Mr Robinson said.