NCEA shake-up: Mixed feelings over external assessments

Many parents and teachers are backing the scrapping of NCEA fees, but reaction to the rest of the plan - which includes a renewed emphasis on literacy and numeracy - is not unanimous. The government says the changes will reduce pressure on students and teachers. But while the overhaul will reduce the amount of internal assessment in schools, it will increase external assessments such as exams. Claire Amos is principal of Albany Senior High School and Tom Webb is principal of Mangere College, both in Auckland. They talk to Corin Dann.