School leaders unsure of Labour's plan to ditch mandatory reading, writing, maths hour

School leaders want more information from Labour on its plan to scrap a mandated hour of reading, writing, and maths in schools, while achievement results are improving. 

Leader Chris Hipkins announced last week teachers would be given more choice over how they spend their time. 

But a Curia Market Research poll shows 74% of Kiwis support the mandated hour policy. 

Secondary Principals' Council chair Steve McCracken told Andrew Dickens it ensures the subjects are taught regularly and consistently across the country. 

He says his school is seeing an increase in literacy and numeracy results already, and hearing the same from other schools. 

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• "Absolutely on track": Professor refutes Hipkins' literacy and comprehension concerns