The current concern about discipline in the schools is heartfelt and valid.

And there is a strong temptation to do something now to solve it.

Education Minister Paula Cox is right to resist the temptation and to consider all the options before deciding on a major policy change.

But there is one step she could take in the short term to relieve the pressure on staff and principals.

The Educational Centre, designed for disruptive students who cannot remain in school, is now only supposed to cater to six students at a time.

Adding funding for sufficient staff to take the most out of control students out of the main school system would help the schools enormously; and should not take that long to put into effect.

This is not a long-term solution, but it might help the schools to restore discipline in the short term.