Foreword

This Government has a vision for a country where all our young people have access to effective education and the ability to achieve at a high standard, academically and otherwise. We are ambitious for our students, and have set a key target that 85% of 18-year-olds will have achieved NCEA Level 2 (or an equivalent qualification) by 2017. In 2012, 77.2% of 18-year-olds met this target, continuing the progress seen in previous years and exceeding our forecasts. Maintaining high expectations for our students and providing all students with quality education and modern learning environments will ensure our young people will be better prepared for further education and employment.

The 2012 year was one of changes and challenges in the New Zealand schooling system. The Government introduced the Education Renewal Recovery Programme, outlining the future shape of education provision and the schooling network in greater Christchurch. Challenges were faced by schools and teaching staff nation-wide following issues with the implementation of the new education payroll system, Novopay. Schools and kura that use Te Marautanga o Aotearoa were in their first full year of implementation for Ngā Whanaketanga Rumaki Māori.

Our education system relies on teachers, parents and communities being informed about and engaged in their children’s learning. The National Standards are designed to support The New Zealand Curriculum and are aimed at establishing high expectations for students. The release of 2012 aggregate National Standards data, showing improvements in achievement, demonstrates that the teaching professionals in our schools are succeeding in lifting educational achievement.

Schools are performing well for many of our students and good progress is being made towards a number of goals set in recent years, but this report shows that there is still room for improvement. The spread of achievement of our students is wide. Too many pupils do not reach their full potential because we do not engage and support them in their learning. We have over 760,000 students in education in New Zealand and we need to ensure that we get it right for every single one.

The Government’s emphasis will continue to be on lifting educational standards so that the students of today will become the talented adults of tomorrow, contributing to New Zealand’s society and economy in a meaningful way.

I am pleased to present to Parliament New Zealand Schools Ngā Kura o Aotearoa – 2012.

Hon. Hekia Parata
Minister of Education