Source: New Zealand Principals’ Federation
The New Zealand Principals’ Federation (NZPF) is calling for a permanent, independent, and statutory Curriculum and Assessment Council to break the cycle of disruptive education reform and give schools the stability they need for our children’s learning.
“New Zealand’s education system had no shortage of reform. What it has lacked is the stability required to make change work,” says NZPF President Jason Miles.
“Every few years, curriculum, assessment, and accountability settings are overhauled, often before earlier reforms have had a chance to embed.
“Schools and early childhood education are left absorbing more than the system can realistically support.
“This is not good for our tamariki and rangatahi, and it is not good for our country.
“Our classrooms do not need more change. They need time to make change work,” he says.
NZPF’s proposed council would take a long-term stewardship role across curriculum and assessment, from early childhood through to secondary school. It would ensure that major initiatives are informed by research, developed with educators, iwi and Māori education partners, and communities, piloted and evaluated before wider rollout, and supported by realistic implementation plans covering resources, timelines, and professional development.
“High-performing, equitable, and effective education systems take patience, steady effort, and long-term commitment – not constant upheaval,” Mr Miles says.
“Our proposed Council would operate across electoral cycles and be shaped by genuine partnership with iwi and Māori education partners from the outset. It would bring rigour, professional expertise, and a more deliberate process to curriculum and assessment changes before they reach classrooms.”
Mr Miles explains why Ministers would continue to set overall education policy and retain final decision-making authority.
“This proposal is about strengthening democratic decision-making, not taking authority away from elected governments. We are simply asking for a system that lets good policy survive long enough to actually work, no matter who is in office.
“Together, we can make sure that every child has a consistent and coherent learning journey throughout their education.
“Let’s give our young people the education system they deserve,” says Mr Miles.
Additional information
NZPF has developed a series of information sheets that further explain the rationale, evidence, proposed model, and what success would look like over time. These are publicly available on the NZPF website and are being updated as the proposal evolves. You can access these here (https://www.nzpf.ac.nz/research-centre/EFbkPqt/).
About the New Zealand Principals’ Federation
New Zealand Principals’ Federation (NZPF) is New Zealand’s leading advocacy group for the rights and interests of principals. Its members lead diverse school communities, from remote rural kura to large urban facilities, serving students from all backgrounds and with all learning needs. It is the professional voice for school leaders, equipping principals with the tools, support, and knowledge they need to lead schools where every child can thrive. www.nzpf.ac.nz (http://www.nzpf.ac.nz)