Principals call for NCEA review

By AINSLEY THOMSON

A group of principals is calling for the Minister of Education to conduct a nation-wide review of NCEA following the controversy surrounding Cambridge High School's alleged manipulation of results.

The Central North Island Secondary Principals Association has taken-out a newspaper advertisement which stated: "For the sake of integrity and credibility, we ask that there be a review of procedures and policies at a national level."

The advertisement, which was headed "Open letter to the Hon Trevor Mallard", asked the minister to conduct a full-scale review which included all secondary school principals and the New Zealand Qualification Authority.

Hamilton's Fraser High principal Martin Elliott, who is one of about 20 principals in the association, said the allegations at Cambridge High School had caused questions to be asked in all school communities about the validity of NCEA.

"We were very concerned and we wanted to reassure our school communities that the NCEA qualification is credible and robust."

Mr Elliott said the principals supported NCEA, but believed the minister needed to address issues surrounding the qualification, in particular its consistency across all schools.

The association sent the letter to Mr Mallard, but yesterday a spokeswoman for the minister said he had yet to receive it and therefore could not comment.

Two weeks ago, Mr Mallard asked Auditor-General Kevin Brady to investigate Cambridge High School over a possible conflict of interest between its principal, Alison Annan, and a private international college.

Today, the Qualifications Authority begins its review of the school to reassess standards and procedures, especially those relating to NCEA.

At the end of next month the Education Review Office, which was scheduled to review the school as part of its regular assessment, will also investigate allegations of staff bullying that have been raised in past weeks.

In its advertisement, the association says it supports a "fair process and natural justice for all parties at Cambridge High School".

Mr Elliott said the advertisement was designed to reassure parents and students about the validity of NCEA. He believed Mr Mallard would consider the association's suggestion of a review.

"NCEA was his [Trevor Mallard's] national qualification and he, as much as anyone, would want it to be credible.

"So I think we will see a very positive response."

Mrs Annan, who is back from from a trip to Asia, could not be reached for comment yesterday.