Teachers' union joins onslaught over NCEA failures

Teachers will today appeal for an overhaul of NCEA, as the Government comes under increasing pressure to take independent advice on the future of the secondary school exam system.

A report by the Post-Primary Teachers Association is expected to argue for a review of Qualifications Authority processes over external marking, a second review of practice to do with changes to standards and assessment, and an increase in funding to recognise the financial impact NCEA has had on schools.

The report, which will be released in Wellington this morning, will reflect teachers' frustration with NCEA. Many teachers say their efforts have been undermined by insufficient resources.

The report will also show that, for many teachers, the move to becoming assessors as well as teachers has not been an easy one.

Debbie Te Whaiti, association president, said that, despite the problems, NCEA was here to stay and everyone had to make it work.

But "serious, genuine professional consultation" was called for, and teachers were central to that. Ultimately, we want to see a willingness from the Government to do what is needed to address the problem areas in NCEA," said Ms Te Whaiti.

Several government-instigated inquiries into the botch-up over last year's exam results are under way. They focus on the scholarship level, though they have been widened to look at lower NCEA levels.

But critics refuse to be satisfied and want more done to ensure no repeat of the massive variability between previous year's results, and between subjects.

The PPTA report was compiled through interviews with teachers at nine schools. It is understood that senior union members are angry at what they believe is a culture of "buck-passing and down-playing of issues" by the Qualifications Authority and the Ministry of Education.

The "poor quality" of teaching and assessment resources and the "patchy and unsupportive nature of moderation" are all understood to be criticised.

Associate Education Minister David Benson-Pope said last night he had seen the report and supported many of its recommendations.

What teachers want

* A review of external assessment practice

* A review of change management for subjects

* Money for extra NCEA resources