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Prime Minister Helen Clark has admitted to being as confused as anyone else about NCEA - except her confusion is over why its problems have not been fixed.
In an interview with Paul Holmes on Newstalk ZB, Helen Clark said she thought many of the matters that had spurred criticism of the qualification recently were dealt with two years ago.
She said the Government had agreed two years ago to return to the recording of "not achieved" on student records, "so I'm at somewhat of a loss as to why the system hasn't delivered that".
"We did a full report on the NCEA after some bizarre behaviour at the Qualifications Authority two years ago and the way forward was clear so I'm a little mystified as to why some of these outstanding matters haven't been dealt with."
Education Minister Steve Maharey said he understood the Prime Minister's frustration, but the end was nigh.
He said the changes she referred to were in about 200 recommendations in the State Services Commission report on NCEA in 2005.
The NZQA had focused over the past 18 months on "operational issues" raised - such as the setting and running of exams - and began looking at reviewing the design of NCEA late last year.
Mr Maharey said it was not a criticism of the Qualifications Authority.
"Certainly in my 14 months as minister, they have lifted their game significantly. I think we are doing all right, particularly because the NZQA and Ministry of Education have been through quite a number of changes in personnel and structure to get them running better."
He hoped to have most changes bedded in by the end of the year, and had assured the Prime Minister they would move as fast as possible.
