When settlers could claim to have ten or more school age children within three miles of a centre, they were entitled to apply for a school. In the 1900s, small timber framed transportable classrooms were erected by the Public Works Department. The walls were a calcimined canvas with a fly of galvanised roofing over the ceiling – known as ‘tent’ schools. At a later stage, weatherboard replaced the canvas. Communities could also apply for a grant of up to £150 with which to construct a community hall. In some instances, the hall was used as a school, as well as for social, civic and church purposes – the hall coming under the management of the ‘Hall Committee’ of the local Progress Association.

The transportable classroom, usually sited on the fenced off corner of a farm block, and at the cross roads, were the feature landmarks of the region, around which the community identified itself.

Accommodation arrangements for the teacher were the responsibility of the parents directly involved with the school. Where the number of children was below ten, parents could operate an S.P.I. sparsely populated District school, employing their own teacher, but guaranteeing an income to the teacher of £60 pa plus board.

In other instances where neighbouring districts had a combined enrollment of 15, a teacher could be shared on a part-time basis, three and two days per week alternatively at each school.

Below are the schools that operated in the District in days gone by from the earliest at Narra Tarra in 1878. Today, there are two schools, Yuna Primary School and the Chapman Valley Primary School.