Stories by John Gerritsen
News
'We need mechanisms with real teeth': Frustration over action plan for disabled students
A coalition of support groups says a government action plan for children with disabilities has failed to deliver for children with conditions such as autism and dyslexia.
Language schools call government levy unfair
English language schools are protesting against a government levy on their income from foreign students.
Using AI to mark pupils' work can be unfair and discriminatory - education ministry
The Education Ministry has warned teachers not to use artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT to mark pupils' work.
Secondary teachers' union says pay offer inadequate, will resume strike action
The PPTA said it would resume action, including refusing to teach particular year groups of students on certain days.
Hackers selling access to school IT systems, cyber security firm says
A cyber security firm says it found hackers last year selling logins and passwords of thousands of school and tertiary students and staff.
Sober teens face less stigma but binge-drinking still an issue for some - study
Fewer teenagers drink alcohol than 20 years ago, and it may be because they are spending more time online and at home, new research has found.
Early childhood sector says Budget plan to extend subsidy is unworkable
Just a week after welcoming the announcement, early childhood groups say new rules attached to the extension of the 20 hours subsidy need a rethink. Audio
Victoria University proposes up to 260 job cuts as financial deficit rises
The university said it had forecast a deficit of $33 million this year - it's proposing cutting 100-110 academic jobs and 100-150 general staff.
Teachers strike actions suspended after talks with minister
Teacher unions have suspended all industrial action following a meeting with the education minister.
Budget 2023: Funds for tertiary and schools, early childhood a big winner
Early childhood had the biggest boosts in the education section of today's Budget.
Pandemic had little effect on Kiwi kids' test scores by end of 2020 - report
The Ministry of Education said it was likely Covid-19 had a negative impact, but it was difficult to measure the exact effect.
Reading level of 10-year-olds tested against international counterparts
New Zealand's 10-year-olds have recorded a statistically-insignificant drop in performance in a major international reading test.
Student visa applications growing, but not everywhere
Foreign students are returning to New Zealand at a faster rate than before the pandemic began, but polytechnics and schools are missing out, visa figures show.
Kindergarten teachers agree to pay rises; primary teachers remain unswayed by offer
Primary teachers are considering their next move after rejecting an Education Ministry pay offer.
Hundreds of striking teachers join march on Parliament
Hundreds of striking secondary and area school teachers marched on Parliament today to protest for better pay and conditions.
Has sexism suppressed teachers' pay? Ministry launches investigation
Unions say teaching has been undervalued right across the education sector because the education and care of children is historically viewed as women's work.
'We've been very lucky with our Covid cases this year, we haven't had many'
School attendance improved dramatically in term one, weekly figures show.
'More stress than Covid' - Principals struggle to fill teaching jobs
Secondary school principals have told the secondary teachers union they are facing a staffing crisis due to a lack of New Zealand teachers.
Te Pūkenga hopeful work-based funding will offset on-campus income drops
Te Pūkenga is hoping increased income from work-based learning such as apprenticeships will more than make up for falling income from other courses this year. Chief executive Peter Winder told...
Teachers complain of racism, bullying, unsafe practices at early childhood centres
A support group for early childhood teachers is gathering evidence of what teachers say are traumatic and horrific experiences at a small number of early childhood services.
Government told in February Te Pūkenga needed to urgently cut spending
A briefing shows the government was told in February that the country's largest tertiary institute, Te Pūkenga, must make savings urgently.
Govt announces schools to prioritise maths and literacy, NCEA changes deferred
Today's announcement follows a series of trials with Year 10 students that found many didn't know how to use capital letters and full stops and didn't know there were 60 minutes in an hour.
'So much harder being a student in 2023' - Higher learning faces higher costs
Universities and students' associations warn rising living costs are hitting students especially hard this year.
Software update will catch misuse of AI but likely only for a short time - senior lecturer
Universities' arms-race against cheats took a step forward today with the activation of software that can detect the use of Artificial Intelligence systems such as ChatGPT.
'Kids were disillusioned' - Pacific teachers worried about new NCEA test rates
Poor results in trial NCEA tests have been heart-breaking for teachers and students in Pacific nations.