Open-plan classrooms will soon be a thing of the past, according to a new directive from the Government.

Education Minister Erica Stanford's announced plans to build all new classrooms with standardised designs.

Rangiora High School's already spent one and a half million dollars removing its open-plan style classes.

Principal Bruce Kearney says it ended up being distracting.

"They tend to be noisier, but it was also the combination of 60 kids, two teachers - the whole deal, really. It didn't really work out for us." 

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