Exploring the use of portable classrooms in Canadian schools: Insights from newspaper reports
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26443/mje/rsem.v60i3.10382Keywords:
portable classroom, school infrastructure, educational spaces, school districts, education policyAbstract
This study investigates the use and proliferation of portable
classrooms in Canadian school districts through an analysis of periodical
news sources. We analyzed 234 news reports from Canadian news outlets
between 2010 and 2022. A two-cycle qualitative analysis revealed three
themes: (a) drivers behind school districts' use of portable classrooms, (b)
safety and comfort in portable classrooms, and (c) alternative strategies to
alleviate accommodation issues aside from portable classrooms. Portables
are often utilized to manage overcrowding, but they are often met with
apprehension from local communities. This initial exploration of the
situation of portables in Canada provides insights that could inform future
research, policy, and practice.
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