At the same time, it appears the overall number of pupils being stood down, excluded or expelled is dropping.
Statistics released under the Official Information Act show stand-downs have decreased 9% from a five-year high of at least 739 in 2009 to at least 643 in 2011.
Despite the figures appearing to trend downward during the past two years, Ministry of Education senior manager Marilyn Scott warned the 2011 data was "still live" and should not yet be compared to previous years because it might still be updated.
The number of exclusions and expulsions also appeared to be declining, with a five-year high of at least 52 exclusions in 2010 falling to 32 this year, and expulsions had remained at fewer than five for the past two years.
Although there had been an overall decline, the number of year 1-8 pupils stood down in Otago increased from at least 107 in 2007 to at least 136 in 2011, and the number of primary/intermediate schools excluding fewer than five pupils a year grew from four to seven.
The trend is a reflection of nationwide statistics.
It was not possible to draw specific numbers from the data provided because many schools reported the number of stand-downs, exclusions or expulsions as "less than 5" pupils, in order to protect the identity of small numbers of pupils who had been disciplined.
The ministry collated and recorded the information centrally so it could identify schools which may need extra support, she said.
Nationwide figures revealed that in the 11 months to November 2011, more than 21,000 school pupils faced serious disciplinary action.
"Some schools in some areas may face particular issues at certain times, but nationally the number of incidents of challenging behaviour in schools has remained consistent over many years.
"Challenging behaviour can hinder learning and disrupt school life.
"The ministry recognises that schools need support to manage challenging behaviour, and it is investing $60 million in the Positive Behaviour for Learning programme."
Ms Scott said exclusions and expulsions were not measures of learner behaviour but measures of a school's reaction.
"What one school may choose to suspend for, another may not."
Otago Primary Principals' Association president Brent Caldwell said while the national downward trend was encouraging and reflected "superb" work by both teachers and RTLBs (Resource Teacher Learning and Behaviour), staff often observed more children were arriving at school with a wider range of complex needs.
Addressing issues early was the key to success, he said.
Definitions
• Stand-down: A stand-down is the formal removal of a pupil from school for a specific period. They can last no longer than five school days in a term or 10 school days in a year.
• Exclusion and expulsion: An exclusion or expulsion is the result of a board of trustees' decision after a pupil has been suspended. A suspension is the formal removal of a pupil from a school until the board decides the outcome at a meeting.
• The board can terminate a pupil's enrolment at a school, a process known as exclusion for pupils under 16 or expulsion for pupils 16 and over.
