A survey reveals secondary school principals are evenly split on dropping NCEA 1. Photo: RNZ
A survey indicates secondary principals are polarised over key parts of the government's plans for replacing the NCEA qualification.
The Secondary Principals Association survey found the 179 respondents were evenly split on dropping NCEA 1, but supported introducing a foundation award (55 percent) at Year 11.
They opposed replacing levels 2 and 3 with new qualifications (59 percent), requiring students to study five full subjects and pass four (63 percent), replacing achieved, merit, excellence with marks out of 100 and letter grades (60 percent), and assessment that included external exams (54 percent)
They strongly supported compulsory English and maths in Year 11 (85 percent), and collaboration with industry for vocational pathway subjects (88 percent).
Association president Louise Anaru said the response rate represented just under half of its membership and while the survey was a snapshot of sector opinions, the answers tallied with what she was hearing from principals.
She said overall it showed support for change, but many wanted that to happen in the form of a strengthened NCEA qualification.
Anaru said about half the respondents included comments and those showed some were worried about student equity and wellbeing, and the effect of the proposed changes on Māori, Pacific and neurodiverse students.
In terms of depth of feeling the strongest opposition with about a third of respondents strongly disagreeing was to replacing levels 2 and 3 with new qualifications, requiring five subjects, and replacing the grading system.
The strongest support, with 44 percent strongly agreeing, was for compulsory English and maths at Year 11, and collaborating with industry.
Anaru said most schools already required students to study English and maths in Year 11.
Submissions on the proposed changes was scheduled to close on Monday 15 September.
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