National is promising to raise school leaving requirements if re-elected, forcing students to complete Year 11 before leaving school as part of a major overhaul of secondary education in Aotearoa.
The announcement, made by National’s education spokesperson Erica Stanford, would mean students who turn 16 during Year 11 could no longer automatically leave school on their birthday.
Instead, young people would be required to complete Year 11 or reach their 16th birthday, whichever comes later, unless they qualify for an exemption.
Currently, students can legally leave school when they turn 16, even if they have not completed the academic year.
National says the proposed change is designed to ensure more young New Zealanders leave school with stronger literacy, numeracy and foundational skills, improving their opportunities for employment, apprenticeships and further education.
Major Changes to Secondary Qualifications
The policy forms part of National’s wider education reform programme, which includes replacing the National Certificate of Educational Achievement, or NCEA, with a new qualifications system beginning in 2028.
Under the proposed changes, Year 11 students would complete compulsory learning in English, mathematics and science, with an opportunity to gain a new Foundational Award recognising literacy and numeracy achievement.
The reforms would then introduce a New Zealand Certificate of Education at Year 12 in 2029, followed by a New Zealand Advanced Certificate of Education at Year 13 in 2030.
Stanford says the Government wants students to complete a meaningful foundation of secondary education before entering the workforce or moving into further training.
Exemptions would remain available for students who have secured employment or are transitioning into other education and training opportunities.
What Does It Mean for Māori Rangatahi?
The proposal raises important questions about how schools support Māori rangatahi, particularly those experiencing barriers to attendance, educational achievement and engagement.
While extending compulsory schooling could provide more time for students to develop essential skills, the effectiveness of the policy would also depend on schools having sufficient resources to support young people at risk of disengaging.
For Māori whānau, particularly in rural communities, access to transport, culturally responsive education, alternative learning pathways and vocational training will remain important considerations.
The changes could also affect rangatahi who want to transition directly into apprenticeships, employment or other training programmes before completing Year 11.
National says exemptions would continue to provide flexibility for students with suitable employment or training opportunities.
National Wants Consistent School Calendars
Alongside the proposed leaving-age changes, National is promising nationally consistent school start and finish dates.
The party says differences between school calendars can create difficulties for parents juggling childcare, employment and family responsibilities, particularly when children attend different schools.
National would work with schools to establish greater consistency across the education system.
Figures cited by the party show that 1,106 early leaving exemptions were approved in 2025, with approximately 90 percent granted for further education or training and the remainder for employment.
Education Becomes Another Election Battleground
The announcement adds to a growing debate over the future of education ahead of the November 7 general election.
National is positioning its proposals around stronger academic foundations, clearer qualifications and greater consistency across schools.
However, questions remain about how the changes would affect students who struggle in mainstream education, the resources needed to keep disengaged learners attending, and the implications for alternative education providers and vocational pathways.
For Māori communities, the wider debate will also include how education reforms support achievement in both English-medium schools and Māori-medium education settings.
With the election approaching, education policy is set to remain a significant issue for parents, teachers, students and whānau across Aotearoa.
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