Run it straight concerns ignored by Government officials before death
Now, documents released to the Herald under the Official Information Act (OIA) have shown how
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NZ Herald
an hour ago
- NZ Herald
Opinion: NCEA isn't perfect but New Zealand shouldn't forget why it was introduced in the first place
The reforms are meant to address long-standing concerns over how students accumulate credits to complete their qualifications. With the NCEA, students can opt out of assessments, including final exams, once they have accumulated enough credits. But as the Government seeks to address the 'gaming' of the system, it shouldn't lose sight of why the NCEA was introduced in the first place – and who it was designed to help. While the system has its flaws, a return to an exam-based model may not make the grade either. Addressing uneven achievement The NCEA was introduced between 2002 and 2004 to replace the School Certificate, Sixth Form Certificate and Bursary qualifications. Its aim was to broaden educational success, recognising diverse forms of learning as legitimate. The previous qualifications primarily valued traditional academic subjects because those were, in large part, the only ones available for assessment. The NCEA represented a shift away from viewing vocational learning – for example, in trades or creative subjects – as less valuable and not a viable path to formal qualifications. It also marked a departure from 'norms'-based assessment, which scaled student results to fit predetermined pass and fail rates. In contrast, NCEA was 'standards'-based: if a student could demonstrate the required skills or knowledge, they received the credits. But since the early days of the NCEA, there have been concerns students could achieve the qualifications without really having gained an adequate education. The flexibility of the NCEA – allowing schools, teachers and students to tailor learning pathways – is both its greatest strength and its greatest weakness. It has been criticised for being confusing, inconsistent and lacking credibility. Last year, Mike Grimshaw, an associate professor of sociology at Canterbury University, raised concerns that students were entering university 'functionally illiterate'. He said New Zealand was 'under-educating but over-qualifying'. Concerns such as this over the NCEA have fuelled repeated calls for reform. Whiplash for schools While few dispute changes are needed, the scale and pace of the Government's proposals are another matter. Schools have already contended with numerous policy shifts under this Government, including rapid curriculum changes and new assessments in primary and secondary schools. Now they are being told the entire NCEA framework will be replaced. The sheer volume and speed of these changes puts significant pressure on teachers. This is not the only concern. Under the NCEA, a Year 12 student who worries they might fail the calculus 'standard' can still do maths, knowing they have the option not to sit the calculus exam. Under the new system, this sort of flexibility disappears. Students will either take Year 12 mathematics – or they will not. This inflexibility raises the stakes. It may deter students from taking certain subjects altogether for fear of failure. The renewed emphasis on exams is also problematic. Research has shown exam outcomes can be influenced by gender, anxiety and even personal circumstances on exam day. In other words, exams are not necessarily the 'credible' measure of learning they are made out to be. There are also important questions that the Government's policy consultation proposal does not answer. What are the options for a student who fails the certificate on their first attempt? Will schools still be able to tailor internal assessments to suit their students? Room for some optimism There are, however, reasons for cautious optimism. The Government has promised to retain the NCEA standards-based approach. Preserving the integrity of whole subjects means students are more likely to learn topics, such as algebra, that keep academic options open but are often left out in the NCEA. But this will come at a cost. The stakes will feel higher and students will face greater pressure to succeed. The NCEA delivered on the promise that we shouldn't automatically assume half of our population will fail. Over the past two decades, more young people have left school with qualifications. But did they learn more? That remains an open question. The new system will likely bring consistency and arguably credibility to high school qualifications. But some students will pay the price of this higher-stakes approach to education. David Pomeroy is senior lecturer in Mathematics Education, at the University of Canterbury.
NZ Herald
12 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Pro-Trump nationalist Karol Nawrocki becomes Poland's President amid tensions
Presidents in Poland can initiate as well as veto legislation, and have some influence over the country's foreign and defence policies. The outgoing President, Andrzej Duda, had already been at loggerheads with Tusk over many issues, including opposing easing an almost total ban on abortion. 'Annoy us' But relations are likely to be even worse under Nawrocki as the political climate heats up before parliamentary elections planned for 2027, analysts say. Karol Nawrocki's victory highlights Poland's political polarisation and his presidency may strain relations with the Government. Photo / Getty Images 'I have no doubt that Mr Nawrocki will do everything to annoy us,' said Tusk, who warned that he would not let Nawrocki 'demolish' his Government. Nawrocki has repeatedly branded Tusk's Government as 'the worst in the history' of democratic Poland. He has promised to be 'an active president' from the start and has said he wants to 'stimulate' the Government with various bills. In a video posted on social media on Tuesday, he said his inauguration would open 'a new chapter in the history of our beloved Poland. 'Let us unite,' he said. The Government holds a parliamentary majority but the Government and the President may be forced to make some compromises. 'Both parties should realise that engaging in intense confrontation is obviously not the way forward,' said Piotr Trudnowski, a member of Klub Jagielloński, a Christian-Democrat think tank. 'Poland First, Poles First' Ewa Marciniak, a political scientist at the University of Warsaw, said Nawrocki would have to work with the Government on foreign policy – in which he has 'no experience'. During the election campaign, he highlighted the importance of ties with the United States and his close ties with Trump. 'It is precisely from this that he will build his foreign policy, at least initially,' Marciniak said. One major difference could be relations with Ukraine. Trudnowski said Nawrocki would 'not be as enthusiastic' as his predecessor on Ukraine. During his campaign, Nawrocki opposed the idea of Nato membership for Ukraine and criticised Kyiv for not having 'shown gratitude for what the Poles have done'. Under his slogan 'Poland First, Poles First', he was critical of some of the benefits received by the more than one million Ukrainians who have fled to the country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has congratulated Nawrocki and emphasised the importance of close ties with Poland – a vital transit country for military and humanitarian supplies to his country as it fights off Russia's invasion. After speaking to Nawrocki by phone last week, Zelenskyy said the two had agreed to visit each other and seek forms of co-operation 'that will bring real results for both our countries and our people'. Zelenskyy said he was 'thankful for the readiness to work together and for the assurance of continued support for Ukraine'. – Agence France-Presse
Scoop
13 hours ago
- Scoop
Next Steps On Replacing Petrol Tax With Electronic Road User Charges
Minister of Transport Cabinet has agreed to a series of important legislative changes to enable the transition of New Zealand's 3.5 million light vehicles to paying for our roading network through electronic road user charges, rather than petrol tax, says Transport Minister Chris Bishop. 'The abolition of petrol tax, and the move towards all vehicles (whether they be petrol, diesel, electric or hybrid) paying for roads based on distance and weight, is the biggest change to how we fund our roading network in 50 years,' Mr Bishop says. 'Right now, New Zealanders pay Fuel Excise Duty (FED, or petrol tax) of about 70c per litre of petrol every time they fill up at the pump with a petrol car. Diesel, electric, and heavy vehicles pay Road User Charges (RUC) based on distance travelled. 'This revenue is funnelled into the National Land Transport Fund which funds the building of new roads and maintaining our existing ones. 'For decades, petrol tax has acted as a rough proxy for road use, but the relationship between petrol consumption and road usage is fast breaking down. For example, petrol vehicles with better fuel economy contribute less FED per kilometre towards road maintenance, operations, and improvements. 'We are also seeing a fast uptake of fuel-efficient petrol hybrid vehicles. In 2015, there were 12,000 on our roads, while today there are over 350,000. 'As our vehicle fleet changes, so too must the way we fund our roads. It isn't fair to have Kiwis who drive less and who can't afford a fuel-efficient car paying more than people who can afford one and drive more often.' 'This is a change that simply has to happen. The government has recognised reality and is getting on with the transition. 'The Government's plan will eventually see all vehicles pay based on actual road use (including weight) regardless of fuel type. 'The transition will happen in stages, beginning with legislative and regulatory reform to modernise the current RUC system and enable private sector innovation. 'The current RUC system is outdated. It's largely paper based, means people have to constantly monitor their odometers, and requires people to buy RUC in 1000 km chunks. 'We're not going to shift millions of drivers from a simple system at the pump to queues at retailers. So instead of expanding a clunky government system, we will reform the rules to allow the market to deliver innovative, user-friendly services for drivers. 'A handful of E-RUC companies already do this for about half of our heavy vehicle fleet and there are several companies, both domestic and international, with innovative technology that could make complying with RUC cheaper and easier.' Key legislative changes the Government is progressing include: Removing the requirement to carry or display RUC licences, allowing for digital records instead. Enabling the use of a broader range of electronic RUC devices, including those already built into many modern vehicles. Supporting flexible payment models such as post-pay and monthly billing. Separating NZTA's roles as both RUC regulator and retailer to foster fairer competition. Allowing bundling of other road charges like tolls and time of used based pricing into a single, easy payment. 'The changes will support a more user-friendly, technology-enabled RUC system, with multiple retail options available for motorists,' Mr Bishop says. 'Eventually, paying for RUC should be like paying a power bill online, or a Netflix subscription. Simple and easy. 'I expect to pass legislation in 2026, followed by an updated Code of Practice for RUC providers. We will also engage with the market in 2026 to assess technological solutions and delivery timelines. In parallel, NZTA and Police will upgrade their systems to support enforcement in a digital environment. 'By 2027, the RUC system will be 'open for business', with third-party providers able to offer innovative payment services and a consistent approval process in place. 'At this stage, no date has been set for the full transition of the light vehicle fleet. That's a deliberate choice, as we're focused on getting the system right rather than rushing its rollout. 'This is a once-in-a-generation change. It's the right thing to do, it's the fair thing to do, and it will future proof how we fund our roads for decades to come.' Note: This work progresses the National-ACT coalition agreement to replace fuel excise taxes with electronic road user charging.
