Implementation

The 2007/8 report shows the education sector made some progress in the 12-month period.

For example, the report shows:

• In 2007/08 Māori school leavers with NCEA level 2 or above increased to 43.9 per cent from 36.7 per cent in 2006, with Māori school leavers qualified to attend university increasing from 14.8 per cent in 2006 to 18.3 per cent in 2007
• In 2007/08 the retention rate for 17½-year-old Māori learners increased to 39.1 per cent from 38.9 per cent in 2006
• In 2007/08 NCEA data began to show strong patterns of achievement among Māori learners attending secondary schools where Māori language and culture were the main approaches of teaching and learning. For example, candidates at Māori-medium schools were more likely to meet both the literacy and numeracy requirements for NCEA level 1 in te reo Māori by the end of year 11 than their Māori peers at English-medium schools.

However, the report also clearly shows an ongoing need for improved system performance if New Zealand is to achieve an equitable and world-class education system.

The report shows:

• Māori children continued to be over-represented in lower literacy achievement levels and under-represented in higher levels, starting at school entry and generally increasing throughout school
• Nearly 40 per cent of Māori learners were leaving school before turning 17, compared to the national average of 30 per cent 
• Approximately 56 per cent of Māori learners left school without a level 2 NCEA qualification, compared to 34 per cent of all learners 
• The participation rate of Māori in tertiary education decreased, dropping from 23 per cent in 2005 to 20 per cent in 2007/08.