Thousands leaving mainstream schools as calls grow for education overhaul
Education authorities are recommending major changes to New Zealand’s education system after new figures showed the number of children leaving mainstream schools has doubled in the past decade.
The Education Review Office’s (ERO) Bridging the Gap report found more than 8000 students aged between 12 and 16 were now educated outside mainstream schools through activity centres, alternative education or the engagement and wellbeing gateway at Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (Te Kura).
About 60% of referrals come from 12% of schools, highlighting that student disengagement is concentrated in a relatively small number of schools.
ERO senior manager Rebecca Bjarnesen said students in alternative settings often received a more limited education.
“We found that students in these alternative settings make less progress than students in mainstream schools and four in five leave without any NCEA qualifications.”
The ERO report found fewer than half of teachers in alternative education have a teaching degree, wait times for alternative pathways can stretch to three months, and fewer than one in six students return to mainstream schooling.
The Education Review Office reports the number of students moving to alternative education has doubled in the past decade. Photo / Thinkstock
“We are failing the students who most need a quality education and missing an opportunity to change the lives of these young people.”
ERO is recommending a major overhaul of the system, saying stronger support is needed to keep students engaged in mainstream education and improve outcomes for those requiring alternative pathways.
“A step change is needed to reverse the trend of students disengaging from school,” Bjarnesen said.
Ministry of Education group general manager operational standards and support Helen Hurst told the Herald it welcomed ERO’s report and the focus on supporting students with different learning needs.
“Alternative education plays an important role in keeping young people engaged in learning. ERO’s findings give us a clearer picture of students’ experiences and the pathways they take.
“These insights will help inform how we strengthen support for learners, alongside schools, providers, and communities.”
Te Kura also backed the recommendations, supporting ERO’s call for earlier intervention and a nationally co-ordinated alternative education system.
Chief executive Te Rina Leonard said the report highlighted the importance of flexible, high-quality education pathways when mainstream schooling was no longer the right fit.
“For a growing number of young people, mainstream schooling is not providing the flexibility, pace or approach they need to successfully engage in learning.”
Te Kura offers an alternative to mainstream schooling, with students able to learn in person or online. Photo / 123rf
She said the best outcome was for young people to receive support before they became disengaged from education, but when that was no longer possible, other learning options should be available.
“We support a clearer, more connected national approach to alternative provision.
“Every young person should have access to a pathway that meets their needs, delivers high-quality teaching and learning, and supports positive long-term outcomes.”
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