A British principals union is warning of the potential pitfalls of using public private partnerships for school property.
The New Zealand Government is investigating a plan for private sector contractors to finance, build and maintain schools that would be leased to the state for a set term.
The National Association of Head Teachers in Britain, where such partnerships are already operating, says private funding can get projects off the ground quickly.
But general secretary Mick Brooks says there are downsides, such as inflexibility in the use of school premises out of school hours.
He says public money can also be at risk if a school closes, but the Government still has to pay for the whole term of the contract.
