that Submissions on the Education Department's out-of-home draft policy to tighten the guidelines around parental choice of schools were originally to have  closed at the end of July.

Tasmanian State School Parents and Friends vice-president Jenny Eddington said yesterday that the department had been asked for an extension because most parent groups only met monthly.

``We've asked them to hold off on the policy until they do the rezoning because until schools are rezoned, parents may not have the issue of living out of area,'' Ms Eddington said.

She said the issues of most concern to parents on the draft policy included: 

 The requirement to talk to a  home area principal about a desire to go to another school out of the region.

 The end of the kinship rule that  allowed siblings to attend the same school.

 Children going to primary schools that were feeders to particular high schools  but   then not being allowed to attend that school because they lived out of the area.

Department deputy secretary for early years and schools Liz Banks said it would be an ongoing consultation process.

She said the policy was only at draft stage but   it was similar to guidelines interstate and the reference group   would meet early in term 3.