The increase in angry faces among Lego mini figures is a sign of the times, says the author of a new study on the toys.

A Ministerial Inquiry into Novopay has found key ministers were misled in an Education Ministry document they read prior to signing off on the failed payroll system

The Government's decision to scrap the healthy school food guidelines flew in the face of a huge body of evidence, writes Sue Kedgley.

There has certainly been a lot of noise following the Government's announcement it will provide breakfast for children at school.

A top police officer being investigated for an alleged assault is back on the board of trustees of a school.

A top school will be probed for adding surcharges for its events if voluntary donations haven't been paid.

Anthony Harrison and Latoya Uerata were all smiles this week at Kelvin Rd School as the nationwide roll-out of free dental kits began.

The victim of a predatory teacher wishes she'd never complained to the Teachers Council after being gagged from talking about her own case.

For the first time since NCEA was introduced in schools, support from parents for the secondary school qualification has risen above 50 per cent.

Bullrush and other potentially bruising activities are returning to play as research points to the long-term benefits of scraped knees and the odd broken bone.

Why stop at giving kids breakfast, when there are bigger issues - like getting them through the school gate, writes Dita De Boni

A University of Otago building programme to the tune of more than $350 million will be "massively positive" for the Dunedin economy, Otago Chamber of Commerce president Peter McIntyre says.

Mana leader Hone Harawira will seek talks with the Maori Party about his Feed the Kids bill.

A secondary school is sticking to its decision to ban non-donation paying students from its ball, as another parent calls the policy blackmail.

Police have asked schools to warn students and parents off boozy after-parties during the ball season.

Seven Christchurch schools will be closed and six will be merged from next year, Education Minister Hekia Parata has confirmed.

A website alleged to have helped tertiary students to cheat on assignments has been shut down.

Prime Minister John Key has had to defend National against criticism that the Government's response to a child poverty report fell short.

Yesterday's package was not a demonstration of political vision, courage and determination, writes Brian Rudman. It's an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff.

Editorial: Expectations about the Government's food-in-schools programme have waxed and waned in the past few weeks.

National's approach is about as "in line" with the Children's Commissioner's report as the atmosphere on Mars is "in line" with that on Earth, writes John Armstrong.

One of New Zealand's largest schools has banned from its ball any students whose parents don't pay annual school fees - a move one father says verges on extortion.

An Auckland school that was a poster child for the KickStart breakfast programme says the number of children coming to school hungry has dropped.

Children's advocates have welcomed the Government's food in schools partnership, but Act says it won't work and the Greens say more needs to be done.

The Government's plan to ensure children don't go hungry at school will go beyond providing them with food, Prime Minister John Key says.

National will announce a food-in-schools programme early this week to prevent children becoming victims of learning problems.