NCEA changes and level 1 results

The story so far

In January 2025, North Canterbury schools backed NCEA level 1 despite Education Minister Erica Stanford's suggestion that the certificate be scrapped.^{9 Jan 2025} Rangiora High School's board presiding member described the qualification as a robust benchmark for student achievement.^{9 Jan 2025} Principals in the region warned that new literacy and numeracy requirements could leave students with no qualifications, as students must pass reading, writing and numeracy tests to receive NCEA at any level, though they can resit them.^{16 Jan 2025} Provisional figures showed NCEA level 1 pass rates fell to 70% last year from 82% in 2023, which the Qualifications Authority attributed to the new requirements.^{17 Jan 2025} Only 64% of Year 11 students attempted the qualification last year.^{17 Jan 2025}

Key moments

1. 9 Jan 2025North Canterbury schools back NCEA level 1 despite minister's suggestion to scrap it.
2. 16 Jan 2025Principals warn new literacy and numeracy tests could leave students without qualifications.
3. 17 Jan 2025Level 1 pass rates fall to 70%, down from 82% in 2023.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.