There's concern the Government hasn't made mask-wearing compulsory for school children

It's recommended for over 12s but not required, when school begins for most of the country on Thursday.

Rotorua Intermediate School Principal Garry de Thierry says he's worried because classrooms are confined spaces and not well-ventilated.

He says recommending mask-wearing isn't the same as mandating it, where the school could tell students to put masks on.

Thierry says his staff are worried and thinks parents are too.