9. Question No. 9—Education (School Operations)ANGELA ROBERTS (Labour) to the Associate Minister of Education (School Operations)Question No. 9—Education (School Operations)9. ANGELA ROBERTS (Labour) to the Associate Minister of Education (School Operations): What changes has the Government made to NCEA to support senior secondary students in 2022?Hon JAN TINETTI (Associate Minister of Education (School Operations)): This morning I announced a package of changes to NCEA and university entrance to recognise the impact COVID-19 has had on senior students' assessment in 2022. We've heard from schools how significant absences of students and teachers—as a result of COVID-19—have had a substantial impact on teaching and learning. These changes are designed to recognise the disruption and provide relief for students while preserving the integrity of NCEA and the learning it represents. We're making measured and proportionate changes based on advice by expert advisory groups to give senior students certainty that despite the disruption they have faced they will have a fair opportunity to gain the credits and qualifications they need for the future. Angela Roberts: What changes are being made to Learning Recognition Credits (LRCs)?Hon JAN TINETTI: Students will be able to receive Learning Recognition Credits with one Learning Recognition Credit awarded for every five credits earned through assessment. Students working towards NCEA level 1 will be able to receive up to 10 additional credits or those at levels 2 or 3 will be eligible for up to eight additional credits. The use of LRCs was carefully considered by the Ministry of Education and the New Zealand Qualifications Authority in consultation with my NCEA professional advisory group. The advice and evidence from these three entities was clear that the threshold for use has been met due to staff and student absences delaying assessment opportunities in 2022. The earn-as-you-learn approach focuses on credentialing learning that has occurred and maintaining the credibility of the qualification.Angela Roberts: What other changes are being made and why? Hon JAN TINETTI: To receive a certificate of endorsement students will need to earn 46 credits at merit or excellence level instead of the usual 50. The university entrance requirement to achieve at least 14 credits in each of three approved subjects has also been adjusted to 14 credits in each of two approved subjects and 12 credits in the third approved subject. I note that the New Zealand Post Primary Teachers' Association are supporting these changes and I quote Hundreds of thousands of rangatahi have had their most critical years at high school severely disrupted because of COVID and through no fault of their own. These credits are the boost they need to ensure they can get on to the tertiary pathway of their choice or move to where they deserve to be in secondary school. It is the fair and right thing to do and we commend the Government for it".Erica Stanford: Why is it that after three years the Government's approach is to for the third year running lower the bar for achieving NCEA rather than implementing policies that work to see students actually attending school and achieving the credits they need to gain NCEA to ensure their future success?Hon JAN TINETTI: These are evidence-based decisions recommended by educational experts. If the member is saying that those people don't have the qualifications to make those recommendations then I severely recommend that she rethinks that position. I have confidence that they are proportionate to disruption faced by students and schools as a result of COVID-19 and other winter illnesses. I would also say that these are the sort of recommendations that will encourage students to attend school because they will feel success.Erica Stanford: Can the Minister explain how lowering the bar to gain NCEA will improve numeracy and literacy of our high school students given that only one third of them passed the 2021 literacy and numeracy pilot?Hon JAN TINETTI: The member is referring of course to a pilot and the case of a pilot is to ensure that we get the settings right in that particular pilot. The 2021 pilot was of a small scale with most participants in year nine or ten. As such results were not representative and can't be regarded as likely NCEA attainment levels for future learners.Hon Chris Hipkins: Can the Minister confirm that the current adjustments to NCEA as a result of COVID-19 disruption were modelled on similar changes made following the Christchurch earthquake to recognise the disruption that those students had experienced and that nobody used that as a basis to undermine the credibility of the qualification?Hon JAN TINETTI: Yes absolutely. This is something that this country is well used to and we also I reiterate use our experts to guide us in that so it doesn't undermine the integrity of the qualification."