New school leaver data from the New Zealand Education minister shows more Pasifika students are leaving high school with higher qualifications.
The figures released by the Minister Chris Carter shows 56 percent of Pasifika students leaving school in 2007 achieved level two NCEA or above, a six percent increase from 2006.
The Principal of Tangaroa College, Ngaire Ashmore, whose school is made of 78 percent Pasifika students says last year 55.7 percent of students achieved level three NCEA -an increase of more than 10 percent from 2006.
"I think it's a qualification which allows students to learn and to pace themselves with their achievement. It's not like the old system the work they did in February was tested in December. So the work and the learning they do in February can be assessed in February."
Ngaire Ashmore says teachers have become more aware of students' needs and are focussing on relationship building to encourage them.
