Hawke’s Bay School Leaders Weigh In on the Abolition of NCEA

After a major announcement by the Government, school leaders in Hawke’s Bay are reacting to the proposed abolition of the National Certificate of Education (NCEA), the country’s primary secondary school qualification for over two decades. The move marks the biggest shake-up in secondary education since the early 2000s, with significant implications for students, parents, and educators alike.

A New System: Clarity or Complexity?

The proposed system, which will be open for public consultation until September 15, aims to replace NCEA with the New Zealand Certificate of Education (NZCE) for Year 12 students and the New Zealand Advanced Certificate of Education (NZACE) for Year 13 students. Under the new framework, students will be assessed through a combination of internal and external exams, with final scores based on a scale from 0 to 100 per subject, and grades labeled A to E.

Students will be required to take at least five subjects, with four needing to be passed to receive their certificate. This is a shift from the current NCEA credit-based system. Year 11 students will not receive a certificate but will instead focus on literacy and numeracy, with a new “foundational skills award” test replacing NCEA Level 1.

Support and Concerns from the Education Sector

While some educators see the new system as a step in the right direction, others have raised concerns about the potential workload for teachers and the lack of detailed implementation plans. Dawn Ackroyd, principal of Napier Girls’ High School and chair of the Hawke’s Bay Secondary Schools Principals’ Association, expressed cautious optimism.

“The main benefit is that it is much clearer for employers and clearer for parents to understand, and has a focus on the foundational skills,” she said. However, she emphasized the need for a realistic implementation timeline, adequate resources, and professional development for teachers.

Marty Hantz, principal of Taradale Intermediate, echoed concerns about the need for bipartisan support. “We need to have this set up as a multi-party deal so that if National were not to be successful in the next election it’s not going to be flipped and flopped,” he said.

A Personal Touch from an MP

Catherine Wedd, a Tukituki MP, shared a personal connection to the changes, as her child is among the first Year 8 students to go through the new system. “I am really excited to see this proposed progressive change for the future of our Kiwi kids who deserve an internationally benchmarked qualification,” she said.

Labour’s education spokeswoman, Willow-Jean Prime, raised concerns over the short consultation period, warning that past rushed reforms have had unintended consequences on students.

What’s Next?

The new system is expected to fully roll out by 2030, with current Year 8 students being the first to graduate under the new qualifications. As the consultation period begins, the education sector is calling for more detailed information, resources, and collaboration to ensure a smooth transition.

As the debate continues, the success of this overhaul will depend on how well it addresses the concerns of educators, students, and the broader community. With the future of secondary education in New Zealand at stake, all eyes are on the outcome of the consultation and the implementation plan that follows.