Stories by John Gerritsen
Audio and features
Govt to mandate teaching methods for reading, writing & maths
The government is taking the highly unusual step of ordering teachers how to teach. From 2026, teachers must use government approved methods for teaching reading, writing and maths. It's part of what… Video, Audio
Education system grapples with te reo Māori, tikanga and systemic racism
In today's Focus on Politics podcast, Māori News Journalist Jamie Tahana and Education Correspondent John Gerritsen look at a suite of new initiatives being brought in to improve Māori achievement… Audio
How NZ would fare during a world catastrophe
Is New Zealand ready to cope in a global catastrophe? John Gerritsen investigates Video, Audio
How schools will try to work around the donation-ban plan
Insight - The government's school donation scheme gets underway this year, but schools have been looking for ways to push its rules to the limit. John Gerritsen investigates how far they will go to… Video, Audio
How schools will try to work around the donation-ban plan
Insight - The government's school donation scheme has not even started and schools are already looking for ways to push its rules to the limit. John Gerritsen investigates how far they will go to give… Video, Audio
Disappearing students: How NZ is wasting opportunities with our Chinese graduates
More than 100,000 Chinese students have studied in New Zealand in the past 20 years. What impact do those graduates have on the China-New Zealand relationship and is New Zealand making the most of… Audio
Schools divided over best way to teach teens
Classrooms have changed radically in the past decade to become future focused. But John Gerritsen investigates if they are equipping children well or leaving them short on essential knowledge. Video, Audio
'Jaw-dropping' delays for special education
Delays in specialist support for children with disabilities under five in the Wellington region are "ridiculous", parents and teachers say.. Audio
Insight: Examining Tomorrow's Schools
Nearly every aspect of the school system is under review. RNZ's Education Correspondent, John Gerritsen examines the hard questions being asked about deciles, zones and school boards. Audio
Demise of school deciles cancelled for new plan
The government has ditched plans to get rid of the school decile system as it looks to distribute funding based on certain risks that affect an entire school, rather than individual students. Audio
Insight: Dangerous Daycares
Childcare is booming, but cracks are starting to show. John Gerritsen talks to teachers about how tight funding and corner-cutting is making some centres dangerous for children. Video, Audio
Outspoken - Education
National Standards in schools are coming to an end. Our education correspondent John Gerritsen speaks to three retiring principals about what has been achieved and what has to happen. Audio
Teachers delighted by end of National Standards
National Standards are likely to be scrapped under the new Labour-led government. Principals and teachers are delighted, but it might take some time for school trustees to adjust. Audio
Brighter Future? The difference decile makes
Despite efforts to improve achievement among children from disadvantaged backgrounds, there's still a gulf between the haves and have-nots. John Gerritsen spends the day with two pupils from either…
Insight: Targets and Standards - Schools After 9 Years of National Government
Schools in New Zealand have faced huge change since 2008. RNZ Education Correspondent John Gerritsen investigates what impact nine years of National Party policies have had on schools and the children… Audio
Brighter Future? Inside our classrooms
Want to see the future face of New Zealand? Take a look inside our schools, where classrooms are more ethnically mixed than ever before. Audio
Unemployed teachers rubbish Auckland teacher shortage claims
Teachers have told Checkpoint there are plenty of qualified people looking for full-time work, but schools are being too fussy. Audio