John Gerritsen
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
Number of foreign students up in polytechnics
Foreign students are returning to polytechnics faster than expected.
Their numbers crashed from about 11,000 full-time equivalent students before the pandemic began, to less than 3000 last year.
But… Audio
Teachers to find out about pay rise
Teachers will find out tomorrow if the Government will approve an arbitration panel recommendation for a 14.5 percent pay rise.
The Ministry of Education has recommended the offer to Cabinet and if… Audio
More university students fail courses
More university students are failing their courses and Māori and Pacific students are worst affected.
Annual reports show course completion rates fell about three percentage points at most… Audio
Principals struggling to recruit foreign teachers
Principals are struggling to recruit foreign teachers to fill their vacancies.
They say they are getting far fewer applications from traditional sources such as the UK, and it's not clear why.
… Audio
No change in maths achievement since 2018
A major study has found no change in children's average maths achievement since 2018.
The National Monitoring Study of Student Achievement assessed 4000 Year 4 and Year 8 children in term 3 last… Audio
Biting our tongues
Academics warn cuts to university language courses threaten New Zealand's economic and strategic interests.
German, Italian and Latin are targeted for cuts at Victoria and Otago, and lecturers worry… Audio
Principals criticise funding change for high needs children
Principals are worried about changes to the way the Education Ministry allocates millions of dollars for children with high needs.
From next term Auckland schools will get In Class Support based on… Audio
Science curriculum provides shock
Advance draft copies of the new science curriculum for schools have shocked some science teachers.
The so-called fast draft contains no mention of the core science subjects physics, chemistry and… Audio
NZ universities rise in rankings
All eight New Zealand universities have risen in one of the main league tables of international universities.
The University of Auckland was the top placed New Zealand institution, climbing from 87th… Audio
Major job losses for universities despite govt rescue package
Major job losses at two universities will go ahead despite a government rescue package. The government has announced a $128 Million package to help cash strapped universities, saying it's clear they… Audio
$128 million package for universities
The Government has announced a $128 million rescue package for universities over the next two years.
Most New Zealand universities are in deficit, and some including Otago and Victoria, have planned… Audio
NZEI receives offer from Ministry of Education
The primary teachers union, NZEI, has received an offer from the Ministry of Education for primary school principals.
Like secondary school teachers, most primary school principals have been arguing… Audio
The Week in Detail: Waitlist algorithms, teacher strikes, and the Kermadecs
The Detail podcast brings you the issues behind the news every weekday. Here's what we covered this week. Audio
Lack of funds to train teachers
Universities are warning they don't get enough funding to train secondary school teachers.
Victoria University's shock proposal to cease secondary teacher education at the end of the year has… Audio
Students turn out at Parliament in support of teachers
Victoria University staff say planned cuts to staffing will bring an end to programmes including secondary school teaching.
They made the revelation at a rally for students and staff this morning.
… Audio
Secondary school teachers prepare for arbitration
There's hope for parents and students who have faced weeks of industrial action by secondary school teachers.
Their union says it is prepared to go into arbitration with the Ministry of Education… Audio
What it's like to be a high school teacher in New Zealand
Tens of thousands of secondary teachers have walked off the job this year in a fight for better pay and conditions. Just how bad is it? Audio
Holiday backpay begins for teachers
Thousands of school staff are about to get the first tranche of payments compensating them for 400-million-dollars in miscalculated holiday pay. It's taken seven years of review, negotiation and… Audio
Universities have worst financial year on record in 2022
It's official, universities had their worst year on record in 2022 with at least five of the eight institutions recording a loss.
The figure is likely to get even worse with Waikato expected to… Audio