Crossing the Divide: Transition from Primary to Secondary School

Nine out of ten children change from one school to another as they go from primary to secondary school. There is much discontinuity at the divide for the children, reinforced by the way in which the administration and functions of education have evolved, with separate systems of primary and secondary education, separate funding, separate teacher associations, inspectorates, training, curriculum and conditions of service.
Over a quarter of a century ago, a New Zealand report noted that while some progress had been made in bridging the gap, making the transition easier, much remained to be done. Over a decade later, another report said virtually the same thing, and urged that steps be taken to remove barriers between school levels.