Stories by John Gerritsen
News
Principals' anger over cutbacks to 'jolly good' school lunch scheme
At least two schools have opted out of the revised free lunch scheme for next year. Audio
Teacher aide hours: One-size-fits-all approach doesn't work, say principals
Changes to teacher aide allocations highlight the inadequacy of support for the most disabled children, Auckland principals say.
'These children are not being seen' - Severely disabled kids lose teacher aide hours
A local policy change is angering parents and principals as some of Auckland's most severely disabled children lose aide hours.
Residential schools for disabled students failing children and their families, report finds
The report is based on Westbridge in Auckland, Halswell in Christchurch, and Salisbury in Nelson.
What could the future of AI tutors look like?
New Zealand developers and educators say the right AI tools can be very helpful for students but cannot replace real teachers.
MoE pauses team rewriting much-debated science curriculum
The team, which has only had a single meeting so far, has had two more cancelled, along with associated flights and accommodation. Audio
Universities fear government review will lead to cuts
A government review of universities is asking if students are paying the right amount in fees for their degrees. Audio
Parents say truancy not always a case of children refusing to go
The government's promised crackdown on truancy is creating anxiety among families who say their children cannot go to school.
Study visas for foreign workers' children nearly double since pre-pandemic levels
Immigration New Zealand granted study visas to a record 19,860 children of foreign workers in the past financial year.
Principal got school funds for massages, clothes
David Wallis' behaviour amounted to "serious misconduct", tribunal rules.
Study finds phonics tests made little impact on reading achievement in UK
It comes just months before the government here introduces similar tests.
Govt announces $2m funding for trial of catch-up maths lessons
It will also spend $30m on resources and workbooks for every primary and intermediate school.
$2.5m boost to help teens pass new NCEA tests
Teachers at about 160 schools will get more training and time to hold small group sessions with students.
Entire secondary school exams team replaced over past year
Just a week before exams start, the Qualifications Authority has admitted that nearly the entire team that supports its secondary school exams has left and been replaced over the past year.
Watch: Seymour faces questions as school absences hit 'crisis levels'
80,000 children were chronically absent in term two this year, an major ERO report says. Audio
Is distance learning essential or hopeless?
Families of children enrolled with Te Kura variously describe the national distance education school as essential, hopeless and a lifeline.
Te Kura facing 'crisis', staff fear losing jobs for speaking out
Staff claim many pupils are submitting only enough work to avoid being kicked off the correspondence school's roll. Audio
Ministry lacks understanding of inequality among students - Auditor-General
The Auditor-General has told the Ministry of Education to get a better handle on inequality among school children.
No room in the halls for prospective uni students
Some teens who missed out on places in the halls are now rethinking their academic futures: "There's been a lot of tears." Audio
NZQA to trial computer auto-marking for online writing exams
Students and teachers want results as quickly as possible, and auto-marking could help speed up the process, deputy chief executive Jann Marshall says.
'Developing educational crisis': Whistleblower fears for correspondence students
Te Kura says 35 percent of its more than 6000 at-risk students have not returned any work this year.
Kaupapa Māori students more likely to get NCEA merit and excellence endorsements
Students at kaupapa Māori schools attempt more NCEA credits and are more likely to get merit and excellence endorsements than those at comparable mainstream schools.
Uni exam cheating: Pen and paper 'has served us well for many, many centuries'
Some university departments are reverting because of the difficulty securing digital exams. Audio