Education Minister Anne Tolley says eight rural schools in the Tararua district won't be closed if the community wants them to stay open.
A review of rural education by the Ministry of Education recommended eight rural schools in the district be closed, affecting 340 pupils. Widespread protests from schools and families ensued.
Mrs Tolley says the schools will remain open if the community wants them to. But she says the proposals suggested by the working group which conducted the review are still up for debate. Feedback closes on 17 August.
