John Gerritsen

Some principals doubt they can properly and adequately ventilate their classrooms to reduce the spread of Covid-19 during winter.

They say leaving doors and windows open is not practical on cold days… Audio

It's the biggest intake of foreign students since the borders closed two years ago - but schools and tertiary institutions say it's nowhere near enough.

From Thursday they can start nominating… Audio

More than 200,000 children a day have been staying home from school during the height of the Omicron surge.

Education Ministry figures indicate more than 100,000 have been learning from home on some… Audio

Universities are facing their toughest year of the pandemic yet, as both domestic and foreign student enrolments slump.

They say the number of New Zealanders enrolling dropped after spiking last… Audio

Unvaccinated teachers could remain barred from some jobs when the vaccine mandate for schools ends in twelve days.

The Education Ministry has told schools they can require vaccination for some roles… Audio

The Green Party has blown the whistle on secret talks aimed at boosting enrolments to the country's three boarding schools for children with disabilities.

RNZ revealed last year the schools are paid… Audio

Families will soon be able to get rapid antigen tests from schools and early childhood centres.

The government is providing nearly a million RAT kits in a bid to keep education going as the Omicron… Audio

Early childhood centres are worried they will run out of teachers as omicron spreads.

They say there is already a teacher shortage and many services will not be able to find enough relievers to stay… Audio

Universities have barely begun teaching for the year and Omicron is already spreading among students.

The Union of Students Associations says there have been cases at several universities and it is… Audio

Cases of Covid-19 among children and teachers are forcing schools to roster entire year groups home or offer online learning for those who want it.

Education Ministry figures show at least 447… Audio

Primary school principals are fighting a government plan to stop them enrolling international students.

They say the proposal to restrict enrolment before year nine does not make sense and comes just… Audio

Principals are isolating themselves and making teachers work in separate bubbles in an attempt to slow the spread of omicron in their schools.

They say it is inevitable children will have to learn… Audio

The mask mandate for school children is being ignored or misinterpreted by some principals and teachers.

Schools are also getting dubious or even bogus applications to exempt pupils from the… Audio

Auckland's high schools have been holding their breath to see how many students come back to class this year.

Some were worried last year's disruption would prompt teenagers to give up on school and… Audio

South Auckland primary schools are considering whether to allow vaccine clinics on site to help vaccinate the region's five-to-eleven year olds.

Principals in the area say Counties Manukau DHB has… Audio

Some parents are worried facemask rules for Playcentres are unsafe and they are wearing masks even though they don't have to.

Playcentres are run by parents and follow the same Covid-19 rules as… Audio

Some parents are threatening to take their children out of school because of the mask-mandate for older primary school children.

Principals say they are surprised how many families want to… Audio

Despite the promise that New Zealand's borders will open next year, there's doubt over whether foreign students will return.

Tertiary institutions are worried a pause in visa processing means few… Audio

Primary schools could be welcoming children back to class with a Covid vaccination next year.

Principals say they have been asked to consider being part of the drive to immunise children between the… Audio

The number of people wanting to home-school their children has spiked.

The Education Ministry has received more than 3000 home-schooling applications this year, 800 of them in the month of November… Audio