Some key parts:
A leading education researcher warns new high-stakes NCEA literacy and maths tests could do more harm than good.
From 2026 students would not be allowed an NCEA certificate until they had passed all three tests in reading, writing and maths.
Darr said schools needed other options for assessing literacy and numeracy and meeting the requirements should not be a prerequisite for receiving an NCEA qualification.
Literacy and numeracy could be a separate qualification, or they could be included in the NCEA certificates in the same manner that standards from other subjects were included.
The whole point of a standard is to guarantee a minimum level of something, in this case educational achievement. To get that certificate, you should absolutely be able to read, write, and count.
Otherwise, what’s the point of having it?
The artcle is saying if you want a reading, writing, maths achievement qualification, then make one separate to this one (or as an addon).
I don’t know if it’s a good idea but seems reasonable. But then I don’t know how employers look at NCEA. Do they check what subjects you got your credits in?
I’ve got other qualifications that imply I have those skills, so not in my case, but I imagine if you’re hiring a school leaver, you’d want to know they’re literate.
My view is that NCEA levels should guarantee a base level of knowledge to a potential employer, in order to have confidence in the scheme, and that includes the three Rs
My initial thought is that roles exist where you don’t need to be literate, but then my second thought is that you probably won’t be asking for any qualification in that case. If you are asking for applicants with NCEA, you probably want a minimum literacy. But what level is that?
There are definitely industries that require reading and writing, but low literacy is enough.