New Curriculum Changes Kick Off

The new maths and English curriculum for primary school-aged students has officially begun rolling out this year. This marks the first phase of the government's long-term initiative to create a "knowledge-rich" curriculum. The changes aim to enhance student outcomes by focusing on core subjects and structured literacy skills. Drafts for the secondary English and maths curriculums are also currently open for public feedback, allowing educators and parents to contribute to shaping the future of education.

Open-Plan Classrooms on the Way Out

One of the most notable changes is the government's decision to stop building open-plan classrooms. Education Minister Erica Stanford criticized the design as too noisy and distracting for students. While some schools have expressed concerns about the move, surveys by the Council for Educational Research suggested that many teachers who worked in open-plan environments believed their students benefited from the collaborative atmosphere. Moving forward, new classrooms will be designed with flexibility in mind, including features like glass sliding doors that can be opened for group work or closed for focused learning.

New School Attendance Service Announced

With $140 million allocated to tackle truancy, the government is launching a new school attendance service aimed at supporting more schools and doubling the number of students reached over the next four years. Associate Education Minister David Seymour emphasized that the initiative will focus on addressing chronic absenteeism and helping students stay in school once they return. The transition to this new service will begin at the end of the year and be fully implemented by early 2026.

The Return of Charter Schools

Charter schools have made a comeback in New Zealand under the coalition government. Previously shut down by former Education Minister Chris Hipkins in 2018, seven publicly funded, private charter schools have opened this term. The Charter School Agency is currently evaluating 52 new applications for charter schools and two applications from state or state-integrated schools seeking to convert to the charter model.

New School Property Entity Set Up

A new Crown agent, the New Zealand School Property Agency, has been established to manage the school property portfolio. This entity will operate independently from the Ministry of Education, which will continue to oversee education policy and network decisions. The move aims to address the long-standing delays in classroom construction and refurbishment that many schools have faced. Additionally, a new 600-student primary school is set to open in Massey, Auckland.

Funding for Māori Immersion Classrooms

The government has committed $28 million to build more "safe, warm, and dry" classrooms for Māori full immersion schools. Twenty new classrooms will be constructed across four providers, with the first phase of a new school in Kaiwaka, north of Auckland, set to begin. This initiative is part of a broader effort to support Māori education and ensure that students have access to high-quality learning environments.

End of Kāhui Ako Education Scheme

The Kāhui Ako – Communities of Learning – scheme, which grouped schools to work on common challenges and provided additional pay for principals and teachers, has been announced for disestablishment in this year's budget. The scheme involved over 1958 schools and 1506 early learning centers, with more than 4000 teachers receiving extra pay for their roles in the initiative.

Changes to International Student Work Rights

From November, eligible student-visa holders will be able to work up to 25 hours a week, up from the previous limit of 20 hours. Work rights will also be extended to all tertiary students in approved exchange programs. The government is also considering introducing a short-duration work visa of up to six months to help international graduates find employment under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) pathway.

Major Changes in the May Budget

The May budget included significant funding for education, with a total of $2.5 billion allocated over four years for new initiatives. The government also announced a $720 million increase in learning support, including funding for early intervention services, learning support coordinators, and new satellite classrooms for specialist schools. The budget also included $298 million for curriculum development, with a focus on maths and literacy, and $76 million for new standardised reading, writing, and maths tests for schools.

Looking Ahead

These changes reflect a broader shift in New Zealand's educational landscape, with a focus on improving student outcomes, increasing flexibility in classroom design, and supporting both domestic and international students. As these initiatives continue to roll out, schools and educators will need to adapt to the new policies and ensure that students receive the best possible education.