Stories by John Gerritsen
News
Public sector cuts: Teachers' prior service not taken into account
Former teachers working at the Education Ministry are angry the ministry is refusing to count their teaching service when calculating redundancy entitlements.
'Can't even stop people vaping in class': Students on the phone ban
Teachers can't even get students to stop vaping, so how will they police phones, asks one pupil.
NCEA online exam glitches: Review finds inadequate pre-tests
An independent review warns NZQA must improve its internal operating model and its partnership with the exam vendor.
Te Pūkenga's only profitable division records drop in numbers
The number of apprentices and other on-job learners in the system dropped by 16,000 in a year, but enrolments in Te Pūkenga's loss-making polytechnics have grown.
Could AI be used to help write school exams? NZQA thinks so
The Qualifications Authority wants more students sitting online digital exams rather than paper-based exams.
Secondary schools struggling to hire teachers - union survey
A survey conducted by the Post Primary Teachers Association found 56 percent of principals had to employ untrained or unqualified teachers because no one else applied.
Callaghan Innovation begins consultation on cost-cutting measures
The government science agency's chief executive says it is proposing to refocus on its core functions to help relieve cost pressures.
Roles providing support for disabled kids among those proposed to be axed
Leaked documents show which divisions will bear the brunt of hundreds of proposed job cuts at the Ministry of Education.
NZQA caps number of students allowed to sit online exams at once
The Qualifications Authority is capping the daily number of students who can sit crucial online NCEA tests next month. Audio
When you should keep your kids home from school
Covid-19? Symptoms including fever, vomiting, diarrhoea or head lice? Your children should be at home, new government guidelines say.
Students' tips for attendance: 'Push through' minor illnesses
As the government announces a crackdown on truancy, students with high attendance rates say they ignore coughs and runny noses and go to class.
'Incredibly rich resource' loses govt funding
Funding for a major study following the lives of more than 6000 Kiwi children since 2009 has ended and the government is considering its future.
Nearly half of study visa applications from India so far this year declined
Agents say fraud and tougher rules are driving high refusal rates for foreign students applying from India.
How did the new history curriculum fare in its first year?
Many are enjoying the new curriculum, according to a review, but teachers want more help deciding what to teach. Audio
'Aggression, fighting with other students' - ERO reveals rising bad behaviour
National action is needed to rein in critical levels of violent and disruptive behaviour in schools, says the Education Review Office.
Funds for more piano tuners and scaffolders, not primary teachers - agency
The tertiary education funding body is willing to subsidise more trainees in scaffolding and piano tuning, but doesn't want to pay for any increase in student numbers for primary teaching.
University of Canterbury takes extra steps around gender diversity
The University of Canterbury has taken extra steps to ensure psychology students understand they have to work with gender-diverse clients.
Only half of schools using tests 'critical' for monitoring progress - ERO
Parents are frustrated and want to know how their children compare, the Education Review Office says.
Callaghan Innovation needs millions for urgent building work - document
Callaghan Innovation is tens of millions of dollars short of money for urgent building work - some of which is needed to keep staff safe in outdated laboratories.
Free lunch scheme has made 'huge difference' for Wainuiomata school
Parents, children and teachers are urging the government to leave funding for the free school lunch programme, Ka Ora Ka Ako, untouched.
Scientists warn NZ risks losing top researchers due to funding gap
Researchers warn they cannot wait until the government's Budget at the end of May to find out what is happening with science funding.
$107m fund to maintain school buildings not enough, principals say
$31k on air filter maintenance and $17k on doors: Schools are struggling with upkeep costs and flash new buildings are making the problem worse.
More kids stop home schooling, families lasting less than a year
The number of children leaving home-schooling spiked last year, but total home-school numbers dropped only slightly last year.
School stand-down rates highest in 20 years
More than 25,000 students were stood down in a year, over assaults, smoking, vaping and alcohol.