Ministry of Education deputy secretary, performance and change, Apryll Parata, said the ministry had reorganised responsibilities among its leadership team in Wellington, the start of a programme to improve the ministry's performance.
"It will involve the integration of our regional operations to provide better co-ordinated services to learners, and parents, early childhood centres and schools."
Detail was still being worked through.
Otago Primary Principals' Association president Brent Caldwell said the deputy secretary's comments were of concern because it was not clear what the future quality of service delivery throughout the regions would be, particularly in the Dunedin office which serves the Otago region.
"Her comments are in line with the measures as outlined in the Treasury's briefing to the incoming minister, Hekia Parata, reported earlier this year.
"There is no doubt that operational cuts will have a direct effect on frontline services throughout the region.
"We should be concerned that the changes are being made before the details have been fully worked out."
The Treasury briefing to Ms Parata last month said easy savings that were available in the schooling system had been made.
Funding constraints meant it was expected to become increasingly difficult to meet the costs arising from demographic change and capital works nationally.
Mr Caldwell said for schools to be reassured the ministry's service in regional offices would actually be improved, the full picture of the new structure and measures for improved outcomes needed to be developed with input from the key stakeholders.
"We have heard today from the Secretary for Education, Lesley Longstone, that the role of the ministry is to be more focused on leadership and less on administration.
"Yet again, stakeholders need to have input if we are to have the collaborative approach the Minister of Education has signalled that she wants."
