Stories by John Gerritsen

The Whangaruru charter school closed today was a shameful waste of public money, the union representing secondary teachers says.

Families in the Wellington region are donating more per student to schools than families in any other part of New Zealand, Education Ministry figures indicate.

A teacher who was sentenced to home detention for shaking his baby so badly it suffered a brain bleed has been allowed to return to teaching.

The summer holidays are usually a quiet time at schools, but for some it will be a period of transformation.

Education leaders are hoping a rewrite of the Education Act will improve the way schools are closed and merged.

Roll growth has pushed the school network to its limits in some regions this year, with some having to use their halls as make-shift classrooms. Audio

The Education Review Office has given one of the four new charter schools set up this year a positive first report.

ANALYSIS - It could be the end for a charter school set up to tackle the underachievement of Māori and Pasifika children. John Gerritsen answers key questions.

Big disparities are emerging between schools in some of the regions expected to suffer significant roll decline over the next 28 years, principals say.

The government has classified five tertiary institutions as high-risk, up from just one five years ago.

The government has tightened its monitoring of Lincoln University's finances because of the problems facing the institution.

Modern, open-plan classrooms are provoking a backlash from parents and some are voting with their feet. Audio

Competition between schools for students is causing problems in some parts of the country and the education ministry has had to step in.

Some parts of the country have a high number of schools with serious property problems, Education Ministry figures show. Audio

MPs are hearing first-hand the heartbreak learning disorders cause for children and their parents, as they consider how schools identify and help such children. Audio

More principals are leaving their jobs before retirement age and fewer experienced teachers are willing to take their place, principals' groups are warning.

NCEA exams start this morning with the level one maths exam - but just how accurate are exams and tests at measuring students' capabilities?

The government is relaxing its tight rein on enrolment growth at tertiary institutions next year.

The government's review of the Education Act will ask the most fundamental question of all - what is education for?

The number of schools on the government's poor performance watchlist is at a new low - but has the system actually improved?

The Education Ministry says charter schools are getting a total of $888,000 more than they would if their funding were strictly based on their enrolments. Audio

School principals say they are relieved the government's Childhood Obesity Action Plan does not force any new requirements on them. Audio

New figures show a boom in new early childhood education services in Auckland, but the quality of some providers is being questioned.

Students are bracing themselves for 3 percent fee rises next year, even though inflation is below 1 percent and competition for enrolments is growing. Audio

Principals say a tougher line on enrolment rules will cause problems for some schools in need of major property work.