Prime Minister and Botany MP Christopher Luxon has visited a school in his local electorate as part of his efforts to promote his Government’s plan to scrap NCEA.
He was joined by Education Minister Erica Stanford and Takanini MP Rima Nakhle, whose electorate encompasses the suburb of Flat Bush, on the recent visit to Botany Downs Secondary College.
When the trio arrived at the school they were greeted by acting principal Kerrie Holmes and some of her colleagues as well as a group of senior pupils.
The pupils and teachers then led Luxon, Stanford and Nakhle on a tour of the school.
They popped into several classrooms and in each one the three MPs asked the pupils questions about what they were learning and their post-school plans.
One pupil told Luxon he was aiming to join the New Zealand Defence Force while another said she was hoping to become an architect.
Following their tour of the school, Luxon and Stanford spoke about the Government’s proposal to scrap NCEA and replace it with new national qualifications.
“It’s been a real pleasure for Erica and Rima and myself to go around and visit some of the amazing students who are here,” Luxon said.
“There’s nothing more important than giving our kids the best possible education that we can.
“Nothing more important for New Zealand’s future and for our kids’ future.
“It’s about making sure they’re totally set up for success irrespective of their circumstances and their abilities.
“That’s why we as a Government are very focused on making sure we have a world-class education system for our kids so they can realise all of their potential and the amazing futures they have ahead of them, but also for our New Zealand economy to be able to power ahead in the way that it is.
“Today we’ve met students of incredible ability, students who have real drive and ambition.
“In this school are our future engineers, our future artificial intelligence experts, all the people we need to drive New Zealand forward from here.”
Stanford said she’d received great feedback from the sector to the Government’s proposal to replace NCEA.
“We’re now moving into the phase where we ask everybody in New Zealand to share what they think of the changes to NCEA and the replacement through the feedback loops.
“We want to give parents, teachers and principals the confidence that we have thought about this very carefully, with a staged implementation, with resources and the professional learning development we will need and the time we will need to ensure we get this right.”
The key changes the Government is proposing includes removing NCEA Level 1 and requiring students to take English and Mathematics at year 11 and sit a foundation test in numeracy and literacy; replacing NCEA Levels 2 and 3 with two new qualifications; requiring students to take five subjects and pass at least four to attain each certificate; marking clearly out of 100 with clear grades such as A, B, C, D, E; and working with industry to develop better vocational pathways so students get skills relevant to certain career pathways.
Botany Downs Secondary College acting principal Kerrie Holmes told the Times her school, like others, anticipated the recent announcement following sector-wide discussions and media coverage.
“While the changes to NCEA Level 1 were expected, the decision regarding Level 2 and 3 qualifications came as more of a surprise.
“That said, we’ve always expected bold reforms from this Government and welcome aspects of the proposed changes.
“As a school, we moved away from offering a full NCEA Level 1 programme a few years ago to prioritise deeper, richer learning that better prepares students for Level 2.
“However, some of the recent changes to Level 1 achievement standards have been disappointing in certain subjects, which has been frustrating for staff who understand the foundational importance of what is taught at this level.”
