Alwyn Poole
Founded and was the head of Mt Hobson Middle School in Auckland for 18 years. MH Academy is now an in-person private school for years 11–13. There is now a nationwide online provision called Mt Hobson Academy Connected for years 1–13.
Just some of the statistics now available justify the heading.
The latest NCEA results show a 12 per cent decline in level one pass rates. Two explanations given are that the schools that have moved away from that qualification in year 11 are lower Equity Index schools (higher decile) and that the compulsory literacy and numeracy credits – just introduced – are having an impact. This impact – like many historic changes will be having a much greater impact on Māori, as only 57.7 per cent of Māori participants pass the reading requirement (78.8% European), 55.1 per cent of Māori participants passed writing (74% European) and 38.1 per cent of Māori participants passed the numeracy (63% European). A student cannot be awarded level one without all three.
There is ample evidence in education that we are long-term, and currently, negligent for Māori. Even before the 2024 decline, in 2023 28.3 per cent of Māori school leavers did not have even level one NCEA (14% for Europeans). At the higher end, only 17.6 per cent of Māori are currently leaving with University Entrance. For Europeans it is 41.2 per cent and Asian 60.2 per cent.
Only 63.6 per cent of Māori youth stay at school until they are 17. For non-Māori it is 79 per cent.
In term three of 2024 a mere 51 per cent of students fully attended school. For Māori it was a tragic 37.5 per cent.
Post-school, just in Auckland, 23.5 per cent of Māori under 24 years old are not in employment, education or training (i.e., they are NEETS). It is 12.2 per cent for the general population.
The need for change is obvious but is there true political will? At present we are most certainly not aiming for the stars.
This article was originally published by Education Plus... Challenging Mediocrity.
