Let’s Celebrate! New Zealand Children Top in the World

“What more does it take to realise we have a top education system producing top achievement?” asks Peter Simpson, the newly elected President of the New Zealand Principals’ Federation (NZPF). Simpson was responding to the OECD report which places New Zealand’s15 year olds amongst the top in the world in reading, science and maths.

“This is an astonishing result given that we invest much less money in education compared to our OECD competitors”, said Simpson. “We can attribute this result directly to the dedication, creativity and commitment of our fantastic teaching staff and the way they manage children’s learning in this country”, he said.

The result puts New Zealand ahead of its nearest neighbours Australia where educators are disappointed at their decline since 2000. Similarly, New Zealanders are well ahead of their British counterparts who have slipped from seventh in 2000 to 25th in reading, eighth to 28th in Maths and fourth to 16th in science. The United States, once a high flyer is now teetering on the edge of average in all subjects.

“This result tells us that we have a great curriculum which is being expertly delivered to children across our nation”, says Simpson. “We’ve got the recipe right, unlike our Australian and UK colleagues overseas who have succumbed to various forms of national standards and national testing resulting in declining performance”.

Simpson, taking up the reigns as NZPF leader for 2011 wants to see the back of the national standards debate. “We’ve wasted enough time on a policy that has proven a failure everywhere it’s been tried. Let the teachers get on with teaching, monitoring and assessing children’s learning the way they know best and continue this fantastic trend of success”, he said. “But right now, it’s time to give all New Zealand teachers a hearty pat on the back for a job very well done”!

ENDS

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