News
Teaching Council's penalties for dodgy teachers too light, review finds
The review also recommended the council investigate whether schools are failing to report incompetent teachers.
Schools accused of giving illegal scholarships to foreign students
School sport leaders say they do not believe the cases are symptomatic of a wider problem. Audio
Teaching Council too focused on 'being liked by the profession'
A review found the council appeared to have the culture of an advocacy body rather than of a regulatory or membership body.
Do teens need to learn to type for online exams?
Should primary and intermediate schools teach children to type so they are ready for online exams at high school? Audio
What counts as an official school day?
The ministry says schools now have to add extra days to the end of the school year to make up for welcoming new students a day or two before other students return to class. Audio
Ministry proposes closing boarding school for students with disabilities
A consultation paper said there were "significant concerns" regarding the ongoing health and safety of students and the quality of education provided.
NCEA hurdle trips up 15,000 students
Thousands did not reach critical new reading, writing and maths benchmarks last year.
One in five ERO-scrutinised schools needs external support or intervention
Twenty-one recently published Education Review office reports say the schools need statutory managers, a commissioner or guidance.
'I was asked to disregard the evidence': Ex-staffer on new school curriculum
"I watched colleagues run back and forth to the Beehive for approval, watched academics and sector experts be removed," she says.
MPs told bill assumes 'unfettered political control' can replace schools' expertise
Submissions to Parliament's Education and Workforce Select Committee nearly all spoke against the Education and Training (System Reform) Amendment Bill.
Regular school attendance in term 4 last year at highest level since 2022
Provisional data shows 57.3 percent of children attended school regularly in term 4 last year up from 48.7 percent in 2022.
Alleged conflict of interest messages between Teaching Council Chair and minister
The Educational Institute Te Riu Roa and the Council of Deans of Education said the messages show a conflict.
Education Ministry error almost cut 2027 school year short
An Ministry document said schools were supposed to be open for at least 380 "half-days" each year but it forgot to allow for the Matariki holiday in its 2027 term calculations.
NCEA exam results can be accessed from today
The 2025 results will be closely watched due to fears high-stakes literacy and numeracy requirements will dent pass rates. Audio
School attendance falls short
Attendance slumped badly in the few schools that remained open beyond mid-December.
New schools opening in 2026
Two new primary schools are scheduled to open at the start of 2026 - one in Christchurch and the other in Auckland.
Science, English slide, as secondary school students seek life skills
Twenty-one percent of students enrolled in 'life skills/personal development' in 2025, up from eight percent 15 years ago.
Principals say ERO not giving schools credit for challenges
Leaders at one school said ERO reviewers told them they had witnessed excellent teaching but could not say that in the school's report because its attendance and achievement rates needed to improve. Audio
Principals warn new year-by-year curriculum won't work for mixed-level classes
The Principals Federation says most schools have at least some multi-level classrooms and it would take a much larger workforce to avoid that.
Primary school teachers reject latest pay offer
The NZEI union says the rejection reflects "deep dissatisfaction" among teachers.
10,000 children stood down for physical assaults in a year
Meanwhile, the number of home-schooled children has exceeded 11,000, the highest figure ever recorded.
Teaching Council interim CEO resigns from board after legality questions - chair
The council appointed Tom Gott to the role last month even though the Education and Training Act says the chief executive "may not be a member of the Teaching Council".
Primary teachers consider settlement after drawn-out pay talks
The offer included the same pay rise secondary teachers had accepted.