2. Hon MARIAN HOBBS (Labour—Wellington Central) Link to this
to the Minister of Education
What reports has he received about high achievement by New Zealand school students?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY (Minister of Education) Link to this
Today the New Zealand Qualifications Authority reported the provisional results for scholarship 2005. One thousand eight hundred and five young people achieved 2,533 scholarships, and between them they will share $3 million over the next 3 years. I would like, therefore, to congratulate the eight young people who achieved three or more outstanding performances and will receive $10,000 a year for the next 3 years, the 55 young people receiving either premier or outstanding scholar awards who will receive between $5,000 and $10,000 a year for 3 years, and the 1,544 students who will receive a one-off scholarship of $500. These are the best and brightest of young New Zealanders, and I am sure the House joins me in wishing them every good fortune for their future studies.
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
In 2004, following problems with scholarship results, two independent advisory groups were established to ensure that the 2005 scholarship results were fair. The Scholarship Reference Group, as it was called, made 26 recommendations to ensure improvements. I met with the group last week, which includes Professors John Hattie and Terry Crooks, both assessment experts. They advise me they are very pleased with the improvements that have taken place this year, and besides congratulating the students, I therefore want to congratulate all those who have worked so hard to give us an outstanding scholarship exam season this year.
Allan PeacheyWhy are there an estimated 150,000 children currently in the New Zealand schooling system who will move through that system and not learn to read, to write, or to do mathematics to a level necessary to function effectively as adults in our community?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
There are not that number of young people. There are currently 11,098 who are on reading-recovery programmes. This Government is committed to all young people being functionally literate in numeracy and in literacy.
I seek the leave of the House to table two documents—first, the Education Review Office annual report for last year, which states that up to 20 percent of New Zealand children are not enjoying success at school, and I take that to mean not learning to read and write.
Madam SPEAKERThe second document is a report from the New Zealand Herald dated 25 October 2005 in which that 20 percent is translated to 153,000 students, and which has the Minister acknowledging that.