NCEA downward trend continues
New Zealand has failed to reverse a steady decline in NCEA and University Entrance attainment that began after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Fewer students achieved their respective qualifications in 2023 compared to the previous year, contributing to a fouryear slump, New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) data shows.
Overall NCEA level one attainment rates fell 3.2% to 61.7%, level two attainment rates slipped 1.7% to 73.2%, and level three attainment rates decreased 0.5% to 67.7%.
University Entrance attainment sits at 49.7%, having slipped 0.5% from 2022, and 3.7% from its 2020 recorded peak.
Recorded attainment rates for overall NCEA level one peaked in 2016 at 75.3%. Level two and level three attainment peaked in 2020 at 80.1% and
72.1% respectively.
Secondary Principals' Association of NZ president Vaughan Couillault said the level one attainment rate was “a bit squishy”, as it didn’t factor in the number of students taking the exams, just the number of total students – and many schools were opting out. An NZQA survey late last year showed 25% of schools were not planning on offering a full assessment NCEA level one programme for year 11 students this year.
Regarding levels two and three, falling employment had resulted in employers “reaching down” and seeking younger workers to pick up, Couillault said. Concerning the four-year decline, teachers had repeatedly been faced with unexpected challenges, so “it hasn’t been a level playing field”, he said. Post Primary Teachers’ Association president Chris Abercombie said the results were symptomatic of the pandemic’s continued effects.
In Canterbury, overall NCEA level one attainment dropped 4.1% to 66.1%, level two attainment rates decreased 1.7% to 79%, and level three attainment rates declined 2.3%.
Canterbury West Coast Secondary Principals’ Association president Joe Eccleton said that whenever student achievement decreased, schools needed to consider future strategies. “A major focus for all of our schools at the start of each academic year will be a detailed analysis of both what went well but also what areas need improvement.”