Teachers get classes in exams

Teachers will get extra time away from the classroom to attend workshops to prepare for this year's secondary school exams, in the first step to eliminate the problems which plagued this year's school-leavers.

Starting at the end of this term, the time will be used for curriculum-specific teacher workshops for NCEA and Scholarship and regional seminars for principals, board members, and senior staff.

Teaching staff will be granted five hours a week non-contact time from next year, for professional development.

In addition, Education Minister Trevor Mallard has announced a $500 one-off incentive for any student who gains a scholarship subject.

"The additional resources and support that is being put in place will provide a firm foundation for improvements in 2005 and beyond," Mr Mallard said.

Other changes include improved communication with schools and parents, an extra $2000 to $6000 for schools in the July operating grant, web and print resources, and more money being made available to reward New Zealand's top secondary scholars.

The changes target scholarship exams and it is hoped they will help prevent the extreme variations in scholarship results last year, which were largely blamed on the Qualifications Authority and prompted the resignations of the board chairman and chief executive.

The measures announced are expected to cost about $3.7 million and are a refinement of changes already signalled. Mr Mallard said it was a "key component in building credibility and confidence".

A report by the State Services Commission, specifically focusing on NCEA levels one to three, is expected to be released next month, which is likely to prompt more changes to the system.

Debbie Te Whaiti, president of the Post-Primary Teachers' Association, said professional development was "a good start" but there was more needed to fix secondary assessment problems.

"We are still completing implementation so professional development is needed and it's good Government has heeded teachers concerns," said Ms Te Whaiti.

But the PPTA said reviews of external assessment practice and change management also needed to be addressed.

National's education spokesman, Bill English, said seminars and workshops were "a band-aid to cure a weeping sore".

"Labour's refusal to front up and deal with the real issues will further erode public confidence in our national secondary qualification," he said.

Other scholarship subject awards range from $2000 to $10,000 for each of three years tertiary study. The Premier Award, for the very top students and worth $10,000 a year, will be identified by subject expert panels and on the advice of an independent external advisory group.

"It's important to remember that scholarship is challenging and demanding," Mr Mallard said. "The revised awards are to recognise and reward ... students who achieve at the highest level."

Dollars for scholars

* $500 for scholarship subject.
* $10,000 a year for top students for tertiary study.