Education

Poetry, spelling patterns and handwriting lessons are on the cards for primary-aged children.

Paul Artus formed an inappropriate relationship with a 14-year-old student in 2000 when he was 36 and a housemaster, the Teachers' Disciplinary Tribunal said.

Twenty-four high school choirs are set to compete at Aotearoa's biggest choral event - including a team of first-timers from Auckland's Avondale College.

A Kaitāia College student who made headlines selling Juicies - until the school board shut down his business - has teamed up with the manufacturers to help get other kids selling the ice blocks.

The extra pressure could see teachers leaving the profession, Brent Godfery warns. Audio

The institution's chief executive also told Parliament some polytechnics are unlikely to be financially viable.

The government needs to commit to increasing funding to learning support services, education union NZEI says.

Emails show a Ministry of Education staff member feared appointments were not being made on merit.

Principals are calling for a rethink after worrying pass rates - some below 50% - for the new NCEA literacy and numeracy tests.

That's despite GP practices with weeks-long waiting lists, while hospitals and EDs struggle with understaffing and ballooning wait times.

Two universities are financially considered "high risk". Audio