The Government is pumping $131 million into new reading, writing and maths initiatives as part of Budget 2025, with Education Minister Erica Stanford saying the investment is aimed at lifting student achievement and tackling declining literacy and numeracy rates across Aotearoa.
The funding package includes expanded maths intervention programmes, targeted tutoring support, new assessment tools and extra classroom resources for schools and kura. The Government says the investment forms part of its wider education overhaul focused on what it calls “teaching the basics brilliantly.”
A significant portion of the funding will go toward specialist maths support for primary and intermediate students struggling with numeracy. The package includes funding for additional maths intervention teachers and small-group tutoring programmes expected to reach tens of thousands of students each year.
The Budget also includes new assessment systems covering reading, writing, maths, pānui, tuhituhi and pāngarau for students from Years 3 to 10. The Government says the tools are designed to create more consistent national reporting and help identify students needing extra support earlier.
The announcement comes amid ongoing debate over the Government’s sweeping curriculum reforms, which have faced criticism from principals, teachers and Māori education advocates. Concerns have been raised about the pace of implementation, increased standardised testing and what some educators say is a reduced emphasis on Te Tiriti o Waitangi within the curriculum framework.
The Government has defended the changes, arguing student achievement levels have fallen for years and stronger literacy and numeracy foundations are urgently needed. Recent data has shown many Year 8 students are performing below expected levels in reading, writing and maths.
Alongside the literacy and numeracy package, Budget 2025 also includes broader education spending for learning support services, teacher aides, specialist support staff and Māori learner initiatives.
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