John Gerritsen
Half-empty schools across NZ revealed
One in seven schools is half-empty or worse, with some running at just 10 or 12 percent of their classroom capacity. The Secondary Principals Association says it is a waste of money and the new… Audio
Half-empty NZ schools 'needs addressing'
The Education Ministry has been told it can't afford to ignore the high number of under-utilised classrooms around the country. New figures show one in seven schools are being left half empty or… Audio
Name may change but charter schools confident of survival
Their name and funding may change but charter school owners are confident their schools will survive under the new government. The schools expect the government will renegotiate their status with some… Audio
Teachers delighted by end of National Standards
National Standards are likely to be scrapped under the new Labour-led government. Principals and teachers are delighted, but it might take some time for school trustees to adjust. Audio
Optimism and caution over Govt education line-up
Labour's Chris Hipkins will replace National's Nikki Kaye as the new Minister of Education. His associates are Kelvin Davis, Jenny Salesa, and New Zealand First's Tracey Martin. Video, Audio
What does new govt mean for education?
Education was also a key election issue. With huge pressures on Auckland schools especially, RNZ education correspondent John Gerritsen says there are high expectations. Audio
Relief teachers giving up because of retraining rules
Relievers in their sixties say a required course is not relevant for people who don't want a permanent teaching job, and the rules ignore their decades of experience in the classroom. Audio
Education groups pin hopes on NZ First's Tracey Martin
New Zealand First's position as coalition deal-maker has raised education groups' hopes that the next government will bring significant wins for schools and early childhood centres. NZ First's… Audio
IHC 'fed up' with Human Rights Tribunal delays
Disability group the IHC is fed up with delays in getting a hearing for allegations the education system is breaching the human rights of disabled children. The campaign started in 2009 and the Human… Audio
Children encourage parents to enrol and vote
In poorer parts of Porirua and the Hutt Valley, children have been checking the electoral roll and convincing relatives that they should sign up to vote. Video, Audio
Pasifika teachers fight cultural stigma around disabilities
Kindergarten teachers are worried negative cultural attitudes about disabilities are hampering efforts to help Pasifika children with special needs. Audio
University of Auckland slips down international rankings
Three of New Zealand's eight universities have slipped in a key international ranking, including this country's highest ranked institution, the University of Auckland. Audio
Principals rubbish National's prefab classroom claim
National leader Bill English described 3700 prefab classrooms as "modern learning environments", but principals are rubbishing the party's claims that school property is in the best shape ever. Audio
Languages, maths headline National's education plans
The National Party is promising to spend hundreds of millions of dollars teaching primary school children a second language and improving their maths. The party's election campaign launch at the… Audio
NZQA sets tougher rules for tertiary English tests
A group representing private tertiary institutions is worried tighter rules on English testing for foreign students will not stop some providers from cheating. Audio
NZQA blocks NCEA exam cheating
NCEA markers will be on the lookout for students using memorised or plaigiarised answers in this year's school exams. A review has warned that in some subjects students could be memorising official… Audio
NZ schools have high rates of bullying, study finds
A three-year survey has found bullying is rife in some primary schools, with more than 40 percent of children at some schools being bullied at least once a week. Video, Audio
Indian students shamed & humiliated after Kiwi Dream turns sour
Desperate Indian students, who've spent tens of thousands of dollars on tertiary courses and job fees, are facing shame and humiliation after failing to gain residency in New Zealand. Audio
Tertiary staff suspected of fraud, corruption over Indian students
Immigration NZ suspects some tertiary institution staff working with the Indian student market are involved in fraud and corruption. RNZ education reporter John Gerritsen tells us it is keeping tabs… Audio
Indian students paying as much as $40,000 for jobs in NZ
Indian students are paying as much as $40,000 for jobs that will help them get residence in New Zealand and they are being under-paid and exploited along the way. Audio
