Nearly 150,000 students who have had school credits held back for years over unpaid NCEA fees have been handed over their grades.
The Government on Wednesday moved to award qualifications to former pupils, some who have owed fees since NCEA began in 2002, as part a Budget promise to scrap $76.70 NCEA fees altogether and wipe past debts.
"If they have done the work and achieved, to not have that officially recognised has been absolutely dreadful," Deidre Shea, the principal of Auckland's decile-three Onehunga High School, said.
"There has been a divide between students who have been able to pay for that and those who haven't … For this to now be righted is a big move. It's about equity."
For about 60,000 of the learners, the held-back credits have meant the difference between getting an NCEA qualification – such as NCEA Level 1 - and not.