Community fears that job losses in the Fiordland tourism sector might result in falling rolls at local schools have, so far, proven unfounded.

There had been some community concern voiced regarding the potential effect the fallout from COVID-19 might have on the schools, but according to the the principals of Fiordland College, Linley Smith and the Te Anau Primary School, Grant Excell, there has been no change to their plans based on student numbers.

While both principals said they were well aware of the current and potential job losses from the region and the impact that could have on their facilities, neither could predict any changes in the short-term.

Ms Smith said the college’s maintenance programme funding was pre-approved by the Ministry of Education and that could actually help the local economy with jobs and services needed to complete the planned projects.

Mr Excell said the Te Anau Primary school was in a similar position and not dependent on outside business viability to continue to operate as normal.

He said, while they had lost two students from the school’s roll, that was no more than he would traditionally expect to see at the end of the summer tourist season.

International student numbers at Fiordland College were also unaffected by the lockdown or job local losses.

Ms Smith said the international part of the school’s operation was very small and this year they had just two paying students and two on school exchange.

All four students had been at the college since before the lockdown and they were not expected to travel home till much later in the year.