Unpaid exam fees stall students

One in 10 high school students won’t be able to collect their examination certificates even if they pass, because they haven’t paid the fees.

More than 14,500 students had not paid the NCEA (National Certificate of Educational Achievement) fee by the December 1 deadline.

That was almost 2000 more than last year.

Post-Primary Teachers Association president Jack Boyle said it was ‘‘completely unjustified’’ that some students wouldn’t be recognised for their work.

‘‘You don’t end up with that award, and you’ve worked just as hard as somebody down the road who can afford to pay the examination fee? That’s unfair.’’

Schooling in New Zealand was becoming ‘‘increasingly unaffordable’’, he said. ‘‘If education is free, then education should be free.’’

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) charges an annual fee of $76.60 a student to enter NCEA.

This can be reduced to $20 a student or $30 a family for children of beneficiaries, community services cardholders and families where the NCEA fees exceed $200, but families must apply for financial assistance before September 1. One in seven students got financial assistance in 2018.

Results will be released online on January 15. If the fee is not paid, students will be able to view their results but will not be awarded the qualification.

New Zealand Principals’ Federation president Whetu Cormick agreed it was ‘‘unfair’’ that some students were excluded from attaining certificates because they couldn’t afford the fees.

Scrapping exam fees was a key recommendation to come out of this year’s NCEA review. Thousands of people contributed to the research, with ‘‘overwhelming support’’ for a ‘‘nil fees’’ approach.

The proposals are being considered by the Education Ministry with help from local experts.

‘‘If education is free, then education should be free.’’ Jack Boyle, PPTA president