Stories by John Gerritsen
News
New NCEA tests should be ditched as downsides so major - deputy principal
Some teachers agree the Qualifications Authority unwittingly made trial NCEA literacy and numeracy tests too difficult last year.
Agencies dispute over how to solve low literacy and numeracy scores
High failure rates in new literacy and numeracy tests have led to friction between the Qualifications Authority and Ministry of Education. Audio
'An enormous mission': Schools race to relocate to escape flood-hit sites
Principals of the most flood-damaged schools say it will be many weeks before they reopen their classrooms.
'Somewhat demoralising': Unis keen to rejuvenate near-empty lecture rooms
Universities are encouraging students to attend their lectures in-person in an attempt to avoid a repeat of last year's often-deserted lecture theatres.
Year off to a good start despite Covid and weather, some principals say
Covid, bad weather and the price of petrol are among the challenges schools have encountered in their first few days of the new school year.
Spike in truancy driven by Covid restrictions, some principals say
Education Ministry figures show serious truancy spiked last year, with nearly 40 percent more than in 2021.
Call for free school lunches to be extended to more children
A group of health experts is urging the government to expand its free lunch scheme to more schools.
Principals expect less disruption but warn big effort needed on attendance
Flooding in Auckland has dashed hopes of a trouble-free start to the school year but principals are confident their biggest problem of the past three years, Covid-19, will cause a lot less disruption…
Teachers' industrial action could have big impact on schools - PPTA
Members of the secondary school teachers' union are poised to take industrial action from next week.
Teens reflect on NCEA assessment results
Thousands of teenagers and their schools have spent the past 24 hours checking their exam results.
Free software programs a risk to students' privacy - EdTech industry body
Software makers warn under-funding is prompting schools to use outdated and cheap computer programs that create cybersecurity and privacy risks.
Universities lukewarm on new website aimed at foreign students
Universities aren't sure they want to be part of a new website that will offer online courses to foreign students.
'Excluding doesn't discourage them' - Smoking and vaping drive rise in school stand-downs
A rise in students being stood down from school last year was driven by smoking and vaping, according to figures from the Ministry of Education. Audio
NZ-made software putting schools at risk of cyber attack
Education Minister Chris Hipkins last year urged officials to act faster, documents show.
Chance of secondary school teacher shortage in 2023
Aotearoa will have plenty of primary school teachers next year, but it could go either way for secondary schools.
'It is sort of soul-destroying': Frustrated school bus drivers eye change
School bus drivers warn some school routes might have no drivers when classes resume next year.
Concerns compulsory NCEA literacy and numeracy tests will trip up new migrants
Teachers are worried compulsory NCEA literacy and numeracy tests will be too tough for new migrants, refugees and international students.
Covid-19 impact on schools: Documents warn of significant risk to learning
Newly released official documents provide a strongly worded warning about the damage Covid-19 has done to the school system. Audio
Educational groups at odds over mandatory reporting of child abuse
Organisations representing early childhood services and teachers are divided over calls for mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse.
One in five schools needs intensive help, Education Review Office warns
The Education Review Office also warned nearly half the early childhood services it visited in the past financial year breached regulatory or licensing criteria.
NCEA and scholarship exams end this morning
Qualifications Authority figures show students went into exams with fewer NCEA credits under their belts than in any of the previous three years.
Ombudsman backs office over time taken to resolve school complaints
The chief ombudsman, Judge Peter Boshier, has defended his office's record on complaints about schools following calls for a faster route for resolving disputes.
Schools warned to up defence against hackers
An assessment has found big gaps in schools' cybersecurity and recommends a multi-million-dollar boost to school funding for IT.
ERO has 'significant concerns' about Lower Hutt school
The Education Review Office is worried about children's safety at a Petone school.
Recovering English language school scramble to find teachers and homestays
The schools enrolments are bouncing back with about 2500 English language students in the country.