Porirua College students will not be sitting the NCEA literacy tests as the two-week assessment period begins today. Principal Ragne Maxwell states that students are not adequately prepared to tackle the tests, and the school has chosen to focus only on numeracy assessments during this period.
Maxwell explains that despite extra lunchtime and after-school classes, students were not ready for the literacy assessments. “We didn’t want their first experience of an NCEA external assessment to be a negative one,” says Maxwell. She highlights that the increased workload, including both internal and external assessments, has intensified pressure on students and teachers.
The new online literacy and numeracy tests, introduced this year as part of NCEA reforms, aim to improve students’ skills in reading, writing, and maths. However, the national pass rates released in May show concerning results: 58.7% for reading, 55.7% for writing, and only 45.6% for numeracy. The pass rates have prompted concerns about the tests’ effectiveness and timing, with Maxwell stating that the system seems to be designed to “fail large numbers of people.”
Mana College principal John Murdoch shares similar concerns, noting that the co-requisites add extra administrative burdens without necessarily improving learning outcomes. “It’s a flawed strategy from the outset,” says Murdoch. Both schools have introduced additional workshops to help students, but the pressure remains high.
Education Minister Erica Stanford acknowledges the feedback from schools about the increased workload and is considering extending the transition period for implementing the co-requisites. She is also reviewing advice on how to better support schools during this transition.
The Post Primary Teachers’ Association supports the literacy and numeracy components as an endorsement but opposes making them a requirement for the NCEA qualification. President Chris Abercrombie emphasizes the strain on already overstretched teachers and calls for a continuation of the dual pathway system beyond 2026, offering students flexibility in how they meet the co-requisite standards.
As schools and students grapple with these changes, the pressure on education continues to rise, sparking debate over the future of NCEA assessments.