The Post Primary Teachers' Association backs the idea to shake-up NCEA Level One.
A government advisory panel says we should completely reimagine the Level One system - which students usually take in Year 11.
Among the recommendations is scrapping external exams and focusing on school-based projects.
PPTA President Jack Boyle says the report was responding to concerns they'd had with the system for a while.
He said it's something they've been advocating for and schools have already adapted their curriculum.
Reducing credits is the only form of currency and focusing on project-based learning will be positive, Boyle believes.
He says three years of high-stakes assessment puts a toll on both teachers and students.
There's far too much unnecessary bureaucracy for teachers, Boyle said, as well as stress and anxiety for young people.
However, there will need to be more support for teaching staff.
Boyle claims the assumption that having fewer credits available will enable teachers to put more attention in project-based learning is untrue.
He said there'd need to be good change management and resources for teachers on how to develop good project-based learning.
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