5. Question No. 5—EducationGRANT McCALLUM (National—Northland) to the Minister of EducationQuestion No. 5—Education5. GRANT McCALLUM (National—Northland) to the Minister of Education: What evidence has she seen to support her recent announcement on Make it Count an action plan to transform maths education in New Zealand?Hon ERICA STANFORD (Minister of Education): As we heard in the House yesterday the Curriculum Insights and Progress Study showed that only 22 percent of learners at year 8 were at curriculum for mathematics. We took immediate action to accelerate our Make it Count action plan to introduce structured mathematics. A structured maths approach is underpinned by the science of learning and decades of cognitive research which show that explicit teaching when supported by a knowledge-rich year-by-year curriculum that develops mastery supported by high-quality instructional resources lifts student achievement. This action plan is just another step towards closing the equity gap giving our children every opportunity to succeed in turning round these dismal results. Grant McCallum: What other evidence has she seen to support this announcement? Hon ERICA STANFORD: Research from the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics in the UK highlights the importance of enabling a coherent learning progression though the curriculum. That is why our Government is rolling out a knowledge-rich year-by-year curriculum grounded in the science of learning and bringing it forward by a year. The Education Review Office surveyed new primary teachers in 2023 finding that nearly a quarter felt unprepared in their maths content knowledge when they first started in their role. That's why as part of this action plan we're prioritising maths when it comes to professional learning and development with $20 million of funding being made available alongside raising the level of maths for entry into initial teacher education to Level 2 NCEA mathematics and working with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand to boost the amount of mathematics training happening at initial teacher education. Teachers deserve our support and we're going to deliver it. Grant McCallum: What feedback has she received from principals on her announcement? Hon ERICA STANFORD: I have received really positive feedback. One principal wrote to me saying Thank you. I am excited at the idea of a structured maths programme after 13 years of principalship and several years with primary teachers this is fabulous news. Thank you. I am excited as a principal and look forward to supporting and embedding the structured maths programme at our school." And another wrote: "Excellent news Erica and well done. We have been aware of this decline for years so it's great we're putting in place clear expectations for achievement and resources to support as well as addressing standards for teacher entry. I am hugely grateful to all of those who've shared their thoughts."Grant McCallum: What feedback has she received from teachers on her announcement?Hon ERICA STANFORD: Teachers have written to me as well and one said "As a teacher I say thank you to Erica Stanford and the New Zealand National Party for caring and acting in the best interests of students teachers and society. These changes are needed." Another wrote: "As a secondary school maths teacher this is the best news. Thank you you are addressing that which should have been addressed." My message to parents is clear: we are a Government who is putting achievement back at the heart of the education system and as the Prime Minister said we are moving heaven and earth to make sure your children experience success in mathematics."