Stories by John Gerritsen
News
'Unnerving': Pay changes add more anxiety in childhood education
Some say centres are struggling with teacher shortages, low enrolments and inadequate government funding.
Te Pūkenga disestablishment 'will not be completely equitable'
Polytechnics are unlikely to emerge from Te Pūkenga with the savings or debt they took into the mega-institute.
Universities will be weakened by Budget focus on STEM and science - professor
The Budget allowed an emergency two-year four percent funding boost to lapse. Audio
Government must not undermine 'well-qualified' ECE sector
The Teaching Council is urging the government not to make early childhood education and care centres less attractive places to work.
Education Ministry asks RNZ to help investigation into leaks - we declined
It also invited RNZ to meet with Michael Heron KC for "a brief chat" about what may have been shared or shown.
School lunches: Is potato a salad vegetable?
Official documents reveal which meals were nutritionally sound and what students really thought in taste tests. Audio
Government's $747m boost for learning a 'breakthrough' : principals
Principals say it will make a big difference for children with learning and behavioural needs.
'Underperforming' areas cut to pay for 'seismic shift' in education
The 2025 Budget puts the handbrake on annual growth in education spending, as past splurges on school buildings run out in the next few years.
RNZ blocked from revealing details of pre-Budget education report
The Attorney-General has obtained an emergency injunction to stop RNZ reporting details of a secret pre-Budget report.
Funds to maintain school buildings stuck in 2010
Secondary school principals are unhappy the amount of money schools get to upgrade or replace their buildings has not changed in 15 years. Audio
Schools expecting more support for disabled students from Budget
Meanwhile, early childhood centres are hoping for a subsidy increase and universities are preparing for funding cuts. Audio
'Schools will clam up': Concern over new-look ERO reports
The Principals Federation worries the changes are too hard on underperforming schools.
Principal to use truancy funding to feed, clothe children
Hamilton school has been running their own attendance service for five years. Audio
Health school students win NCEA rule change
About 150 vulnerable teenagers have won a reprieve from an NCEA rule that disadvantaged them.
Principals at odds over new sex education framework
Consultation on the draft relationships and sexuality framework for school is closing, and some primary principals worry it is too explicit for their pupils. Audio
Multi-million dollar contract for aiding school boards up for grabs
The School Boards Association has been doing the work for the Education Ministry since its inception in 1989.
A timeline of Stanford's work conducted via personal email
Willis, Bishop admit they, like the Education Minister, have forwardied Parliament and ministerial emails to personal accounts.
Kāhui Ako school programme 'set to be disestablished'
Leaked documents suggest the $118 million programme will be axed 'effective from Budget 2025'. Audio
Record number of top school-leavers head overseas
"It's a pity that our very top students are going overseas, and I think sometimes it's more perception than reality," one principal says. Audio
'Building blocks': Financial education to be compulsory for school children
Balancing a budget and understanding interest rates will become compulsory for school children from 2027. Audio
Teens in alternative education angry work won't count towards NCEA
Some students have discovered their literacy and numeracy standards won't apply for qualifications if they return to regular schools. Audio
'A joke': Teachers left in tears over pay rate struggles
Some early childhood teachers say the process for getting the right pay rate if they switch to school teaching is a nightmare that leaves them despairing and in tears. Audio
Govt announces $53m boost for teacher registrations fees
From 1 July, teachers will save up to $550 when applying for registration or renewing their practising certificate, Education Minister Erica Stanford announced.
Workplace training may be privatised after Te Pūkenga dismantled
The Vocational Education Minister is planning the creation of six to eight Industry Skills Boards to set standards and oversee training.
Fears new teacher maths requirement will halve enrolments, worsen shortages
The LNAAT will become a pre-requisite for entry to one-year English-medium postgraduate programmes next year, and for multi-year programmes such as Bachelor's degrees in 2027. Audio