John Gerritsen
Documents reveal problems with curriculum rewrite
Internal Education Ministry documents have revealed the serious problems plaguing the rewrite of the school curriculum earlier this year. Education correspondent John Gerritsen spoke to Ingrid… Audio
School leavers with no qualifications will increase: Principal
A principal is warning the number of school-leavers with no qualifications is likely to spike significantly in poor communities this year. Education correspondent John Gerritsen reports. Audio
Failure rates for literacy and numeracy tests over 50 percent in Northland and South Auckland
Alarming figures show most Tai Tokerau/Northland and South Auckland teenagers who sat NCEA literacy and numeracy tests in May failed. Education correspondent John Gerritsen spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio
Government puts an end to open-plan classrooms
The government has drawn a line under one of education's most contentious issues - today it announced a halt to building what everyone except for teachers call open-plan classrooms. Modern learning… Audio
Charter schools told to keep enrolments secret
The organisation overseeing the reintroduction of charter schools has told the schools to keep their enrolments secret. Education correspondent John Gerritsen reports. Audio
Te Pūkenga managers warn MPs about break up of institute
The managers of Te Pūkenga and Nelson's mayor have warned MPs about what will follow the break up of the mega institute. Education correspondent John Gerritsen reports. Audio
ECE centres feeding thousands through free lunch programme
Early childhood centres in the government's free lunch programme say it is feeding thousands of children who live in poverty. RNZ's education correspondent John Gerritsen reports. Audio
Call for alternative education rule change
Teachers at last-chance education programmes for troubled teens say allowing them to keep students beyond the age of 16 would change lives. RNZ's education correspondent John Gerritsen reports. Audio
Just two state schools have applied to become charter schools
An Auckland muslim school is among just two state or state integrated schools that have applied to become charter schools at the start of next year. Ingrid Hipkiss spoke to education correspondent… Audio
School report comments that stuck with students
Everyone has had school reports saying we could try harder, but imagine a teacher telling your parents they hope you won't be back in class next term or that they can only hope and pray for your… Audio
Morning Report Essentials for Thursday 26 June 2025
In today's episode, Minister Tama Potaka is concerned that public funding may have been used for electioneering, after a Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency advertisement encouraging Māori to sign up for… Audio
Little evidence $10 million a year truancy fund is working
Data analysis shows little evidence of success from a fund that has been giving schools $10 million-a-year to tackle truancy. Education correspondent John Gerritsen spoke to Corin Dann. Audio
Principals and Ministry of Education clash over when a school is 'open'
Worried secondary principals are heading for a clash with the Education Ministry over an apparently simple question - when is a school open and when is it closed? Education correspondent John… Audio
Cuts across polytech sector threaten 300 jobs: Union
The Tertiary Education Union says job and course cuts across the polytechnic sector are a nightmare. Education correspondent John Gerritsen has more. Audio
Schools not ready to grade reports against new curriculums
Some primary schools warn mid-year reports to parents will not include children's progress and achievement against the new English and maths curriculums. Education correspondent John Gerritsen… Audio
Japanese school lunches example for Kiwi counterparts
The free school lunch programme has gotten major backlash over the cut-price lunches provided by the School Lunch Collective. But in other countries, similar programmes have thrived. Japan has been… Audio
Consultation on English curriculum closes
Consultation for the draft intermediate and secondary school English curriculum will close on Friday. Education correspondent John Gerritsen reports. Audio
Schools making own lunches without govt funding
Schools that make their own lunches for students, despite reduced funding from the government scheme, are using more lentils and less yoghurt to make ends meet. Education correspondent John Gerritsen… Audio
ECE centres struggling with underfunding, teacher shortages
Early childhood teachers and managers have said centres are struggling with teacher shortages, low enrolments and insufficient government funding. Some are alarmed by surprise changes to pay parity… Audio
Unis face uncertain future as funding fails to keep up
Universities face an uncertain future as they contemplate yet another year in which funding fails to keep pace with rising costs. Here's our education correspondent John Gerritsen. Audio