Christchurch school principals say they are fed up with a freeze on the money they use to improve and repair their buildings.
They say the Ministry of Education has prevented them using their five-year allocation of property funding for nearly three years.
The principals told Radio New Zealand News they cannot fix minor damage caused by the earthquakes in February 2011 and September 2010 or improve their school buildings.
The ministry says it is coordinating property work centrally to ensure the best results from the $1 billion renewal of Christchurch schools.
It says schools' property work will be planned during the next 18 months.