The Ministry of Education's decision to ask schools to consider going "water-only" has been met with praise.  

Ministry head Peter Hughes sent teachers an email this morning urging them to consider the move.  He's backed by the Ministry of Health.

The Heart Foundation is applauding the move.  Education Setting Manager Justine Munro said research proves poor diet is closely associated with low academic achievement. 

She said schools that have already made the change of their own volition have "reported improvements in attendance, attention, behaviour and the levels of concentration have gone up".  

The Principal of Yendarra School in Otara thinks her school is proof of this.  The school went "water-only" ten years ago and principal Susan Dunlop said there's no downside. 

"We would encourage all schools to become water-only because the children are certainly a lot calmer, more peaceful and our dental health is far superior to other schools in a three kilometre radius." 

Ms Munro said typically when schools start healthy eating policies, the benefits spread.

"The messages that are taught in the classroom about healthy eating and sugary drinks are then taken home and... they're adopted by the families as well."  

"It's all great news for everyone, really."

Every year surgeons in his area alone remove rotting teeth from 250 kids under general anaesthetic.