By Dave Goosselink
Dunedin's Tomahawk Primary School, like others all over the country, reopened the gates to pupils this week. The trouble is, it's got no pupils - but the Ministry of Education is insisting it remains open.
There are no pupils enrolled at the school this year, but the school's four staff members are still being employed.
"The secretary's just tidying up some things left over from the end of the holidays, I've answered some emails and some telephone calls and done a couple of interviews, and the other teacher's just having a teacher-only day," says principal Richard Aitkin.
Tomahawk's roll fell to just 11 students last year. With two of those moving on to intermediate school, staff and the school board decided the best option was to apply for closure.
"It's difficult to continue running a school with nine students," says Mr Aitken. "The funding just isn't generated to maintain that."
But he says despite having no students, he still hasn't been given permission to close the doors on the 141-year old school.
Unlike many other school closures in recent years, the decision to close down Tomahawk was made by parents and the community, rather than dictated by the Ministry of Education.
Education Minister Anne Tolley refused to front for cameras today, but told 3 News she has signed off the documents to begin what is now a meaningless consultation process.
The former Tomahawk students have all transferred to nearby Musselburgh School, where they are adjusting well to the larger surroundings.
"Well like all new children in a new situation, some of them were feeling a little bit anxious, but on the whole they were all very excited about starting a new school," says Debbie Smith, Musselburgh School principal.
Dunedin's Waldronville School also has no students, but has been told it will officially close in April.
Mr Aitken believes Tomahawk could be empty and open until early July. He plans to keep busy by going back to school himself and completing his master's degree.
3 News