Education Minister Trevor Mallard has ruled out delaying the next stage of the controversial new school qualification, the National Certificate of Educational Achievement.
Some principals, the National Party and many teachers have called for the second level of the NCEA - to be introduced next year - to be postponed until schools sort out assessment and workload issues.
The Post Primary Teachers Association is considering calling for postponement of the next stage of the exam as part of its pay negotiations.
Under its proposal, this year's fifth form students would take the old six form certificate qualification while workload and assessment issues were sorted out.
But Mr Mallard said last night that preparations for the next stage of the NCEA were well advanced, and it was in the best interests of students to continue as planned.
He ruled out any possibility of delaying implementation.
"I do not believe that calls to have it delayed are being made with the students' interest at heart," he said.
Meanwhile, there is renewed hope that the 15-month-long secondary teachers' pay dispute could soon be over.
The Education Ministry is to present a new offer to teachers today.
The ministry would give no details of the offer last night and would confirm only that formal negotiations had resumed.
- NZPA
Mallard stands firm on start date for NCEA
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