School principals have been vocal in their warnings about the health and wellbeing of children and staff this winter, after the third term began yesterday.
But new data revealed by the Educational Institute shows problems are being exacerbated by a significant drop in the number of relief teachers.
Since 2012, relief teacher numbers have dropped by 34 percent nationwide, and in Wellington and Waikato that figure rises to 40 percent.
Berhampore School principal and Educational Institute vice president Mark Potter spoke to Susie Ferguson.
