Recently TENZ has had some members approach us with concerns that due to the push of the new NCEA Te Reo Matatini me te Pāngarau | Literacy and Numeracy as well as the Literacy & Communication and Maths Strategy there have been some problematic things popping up in schools. Such as proposals to cut back “option” subject (eg. technology and arts) hours at the junior secondary in favour of dedicating more time to “core” (Eg. English, Maths, Science) subjects to support better literacy and numeracy. We know that is not a good choice, and that each of the eight learning areas has value, and technology has a wide range of literacy and numeracy within it.

We have approached the Ministry for comment and this is their response.

Thank you for your query regarding the requirements on schools to offer technology learning in the context of recent initiatives around literacy and numeracy. Following is our response, with links for further information if required:

Every school is required to provide all students in years 1–10 with effectively taught programmes of learning in technology. This legislated requirement is the same for all other learning areas, excluding learning languages which has its own expectations.

However, schools have flexibility to design programmes of learning around these areas that best meet the needs of their learners and communities. More information on implementing the New Zealand Curriculum can be found here: The New Zealand Curriculum / Kia ora – NZ Curriculum Online (tki.org.nz)

The Literacy & Communication and Maths Strategy and the new NCEA te reo matatini me te pāngarau | literacy and numeracy standards do not change this requirement. Rather, they emphasise more explicit attention to literacy and numeracy in learning across the curriculum, which supports learners to better access its richness. Therefore a focus on these skills should not lead to a narrowing of the curriculum. Further guidance on this point can be found in the Literacy & Communication and Maths Strategy.

The curriculum refresh will improve on the approach to literacy and numeracy in the current curriculum by explicitly describing literacy and numeracy outcomes as a component of all learning areas. This will be emphasised from Year 4 onwards, as focuses of learning shift from developing foundational skills to the specific demands of the different learning areas and to contexts outside the classroom.

I hope this information answers your question.

If you have any further questions you would like TENZ to follow up on, please send them through to [email protected]