Education Minister Anne Tolley says she has not made a final decision on whether to close three of Kawerau's six schools.
About 150 students and teachers from the Bay of Plenty town protested in front of Parliament on Tuesday against the proposed closures.
At the start of May, Mrs Tolley announced changes needed to be made to Kawerau's school system.
Under the plan, the Bay of Plenty town would have two of the four primary schools and the intermediate school would be closed.
Mrs Tolley says the schools and local people have until the end of the month to formally submit their views and she will not make a final decision until she has heard those submissions.
Any changes will take effect from the start of the first term next year.
