School leaders are expecting staffing challenges for Term 3.

Students returned to school today.

Auckland Primary Principals' Association President Kyle Brewerton says in 20 years as a principal - he's never seen shortages this bad.

Brewerton says about a third of respondents say shortages are worse this term, than last term.

"We did put out a quick poll this afternoon, just little over 50 percent of primary schools that responded- we've got 118 vacancies of today across 422 schools."

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