The Education Minister says balance of choice is a priority under its new qualification system.  

The Government is proposing to throw out NCEA for two certificates in Years 12 and 13.  

Level 1 will be replaced with a foundation test in numeracy and literacy.  

Erica Stanford told Mike Hosking that after Year 11, students are free to choose the subjects which engage them. 

She says the key difference will be when students study English, math, or physics, it will be against a world-leading benchmarked curriculum, and children in Invercargill will be learning the exact same thing as those in Auckland.  

The Education Minister’s also looking at trimming down the variety of subjects available to students. 

Stanford told Hosking they’re taking a look at the number of subjects and the amount of students taking each one.  

But she still wants the option for children to take classes which excite them, like dance and drama. 

LISTEN ABOVE