Figure 1.-- Boarding following the British public school example used to be considered an important element of private education. Attitudes toward boarding have changed in recent years. There are boarding schools for both primary and secondary level children. Boarding during recent years has declined, especially for younger children. Quite a number of schools still offer boarding places for secondary-level children.

Boarding following the British public school example used to be considered an important element of private education. Attitudes toward boarding have changed in recent years. There are boarding schools for both primary and secondary level children. Boarding during recent years has declined, especially for younger children. Parents are increasingly reluctant to board younger children. Boarding for secondary-level children has been more stable. Few elementary-age children now board at New Zealand schools. The few remaining schools that continue to offer boarding places for this age group are mostly private preparatory schools. These schools are based on the British system of boarding children beginning at about 8 years. Boarding rolls are also declining at many private and public secondary schools, but not as rapidly as for primary-level children . Available data suggests that the number of boarders at secondary schools (form 3-7) have declined from about 13,300 students in 1974 to only 10,600. The percentage of boarding students during that same period have declined from 7.3 percent of the students to only 4.6 percent.

Primary Schools

Few elementary-age children now board at New Zealand schools. The few remaining schools that continue to offer boarding places for this age group are mostly private preparatory schools. These schools are based on the British system of boarding children beginning at about 8 years. (See: Boys Preparatory Schools, Apertures Press, 1990.) New Zealand preparatory schools now report a declining demand for boarding places. Parents are increasingly concluding that younger children should be kept at home.

Secondary Schools

Boarding rolls are also declining at many private and public secondary schools, but not as rapidly as for primary-level children. Available data suggests that the number of boarders at secondary schools (form 3-7) have declined from about 13,300 students in 1974 to only 10,600. The percentage of boarding students during that same period have declined from 7.3 percent of the students to only 4.6 percent. Declining boarding roles appears to be due to variety of factors. The difficult economic conditions in the late 1980s forced many families to cut expenses. Parents and students are increasingly questioning the once standard practice of boarding children, a lingering impact of the influence of British education. [DW: insert McGlas data] There continues, however to be a demand for boarding places. Some parents because may need to board children for a variety of reasons, such as foreign postings or a variety of personal problems. Many New Zealand families in rural areas live at considerable distance from a secondary school or may not desire to enroll children at small rural schools. As a result, many private and state schools continue to offer boarding facilities. The New Zealand Boarding [Association] includes over 100 schools.

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