Ensuring every child gets a good education is the most important thing we can do to raise living standards and create a more competitive and productive economy. It's certainly one of the Government's priorities this term. National is spending more on education than ever before. In fact, 20 per cent of all public expenditure is invested in education, which represents the second-highest spend in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
We increased spending on education - from early childhood to secondary school - for the fifth budget in a row this year. The Budget for the 2013/14 financial year is $9.7billion, which is a more than 40 per cent increase compared with 2007. Since 2008, we've also increased spending on early childhood education by 74 per cent.
National introduced National Standards too - so we can measure achievement at primary school level, so we can identify those who are falling behind, and so parents are regularly reported to about how their child is getting on at school.
We're making progress. According to the data provided, there has been an increase across the board in achievement levels in maths, reading and writing, with the greatest improvement coming from Pasifika students.
We also remain committed to ensuring that 85 per cent of 18-year-olds achieve NCEA Level 2 or above by 2017. We're on track. In 2012, 77.2 per cent of 18-year-olds had achieved NCEA Level 2, compared with 74.3 per cent in 2011.
The education sector has responded well to change during the past five years, and the results speak for themselves. Now it's time to celebrate those at the coal face - and the Prime Minister's Education Excellence Awards is the perfect way to acknowledge our best teachers for the fantastic job they're doing.
Nominations close on February 28, entries close on March 28 and the finalists will be announced in April 2014. An awards ceremony announcing the winners will be held on June 25. Entry forms are available at www.pmawards.education.
govt.nz
One last thing: destruction and carnage wreaked on the Philippines by Typhoon Haiyan is unprecedented. Our Government immediately responded with a contribution of $150,000 to the International Federation of the Red Cross. That was followed by a further $2million to support humanitarian relief efforts.
Another $1.25 million will be allocated over the coming days as the priority areas for support are identified. My thoughts are with the people of the Philippines and also family members and friends who live in New Zealand.
