The ministry has altered the design of school corridors to make them narrower. The number one injury for teachers is caused by falling down and it is a direct result of such policies.
Hallways are overcrowded, particularly at breaks and dismissal.
All schools include students with special needs, some of whom require special assistance during emergencies and more space at all times to move freely throughout the schools as fully participating members. We also know from many studies and research that crowded conditions help create conditions ripe for violence, something all of us are working hard to eliminate from our schools. The costs of these injuries and dangers, both personal and financial, far outweigh any potential savings from reducing the width of corridors. There are major concerns about lack of space being expressed by the Professional Specialist Associations which represent teachers in these areas. In particular, safety concerns are being raised in the specialty areas where equipment and activities put students and teachers at risk if there is not enough space to perform tasks safely.