Nelson school principals are fighting moves by the University of Canterbury to close its primary teacher training campus in the city.
They say it would mean the end of local face-to-face training, forcing many aspiring teachers into correspondence courses.
Members of the Nelson Principals' Association met University representatives on Friday, but say they believe a decision to close the campus has already been made.
The Nelson campus has a roll of 51.
Nelson Principals' Association chairman Don McLean says the university is blaming its move on running costs, but the main driver is the Government's cap on the number of students in tertiary institutions.
He says face to face is the best way to train teachers, not through distance learning courses.
Mr McLean says if the University closes the Nelson campus, they hope another tertiary institution will step in.
Submissions on the plan close on Tuesday.
