Data from the National Survey of Secondary Schools shows many principals expressing concern about plans to replace NCEA.
Findings from the survey, run by our NZCER team, show 70 percent of principals agreed or strongly agreed NCEA should be improved rather than removed. More than two-thirds were concerned the proposed changes would limit learning opportunities and pathways for students in their school.
Principals were evenly split on whether the proposed new Year 12 and Year 13 certificates were going in the right direction, with just under half disagreeing.
The survey found only 23 percent of principals agreed or strongly agreed the proposed changes would support better outcomes for students. Even fewer (11 per cent) thought they would reduce inequities in student outcomes.
According to NZCER Senior Researcher (and report author) Jo MacDonald, principals’ responses reflect concern about the potential impacts for students.
"Principals are not saying NCEA is perfect, but the responses were clear that many would prefer to see it improved rather than removed. They were particularly concerned about what the proposed changes could mean for student pathways, subject choice, and equity."
“Equity concerns came through strongly in principals’ responses,” added MacDonald. “Any change to senior secondary qualifications needs to work for all students, including those whose pathways do not follow a narrow academic route.”
The survey gathered responses from 106 principals from secondary schools across Aotearoa New Zealand and is part of NZCER’s long-running National Survey project, which tracks trends and changes across the education system.