Govt Boosts Maths Resources with $30 Million Investment to Improve Achievement

The funding will provide workbooks, teacher guidance, and lesson plans available in both English and te reo Māori, aligning with best practices from the OECD.

The coalition Government is taking action to enhance maths education by allocating $30 million towards new resources and support for teachers and students, starting in Term 1 of 2025, Education Minister Erica Stanford announced today.

The funding will provide workbooks, teacher guidance, and lesson plans available in both English and te reo Māori, aligning with best practices from the OECD. These resources are aimed at lifting the dismal maths achievement rates, with just 22% of Year 8 students currently meeting the expected standard for maths.

"We need to change this trajectory," said Stanford. "Our teachers are fantastic, but they need to feel equipped and supported to implement the new curriculum from next year."

Supporting Half a Million Students

The initiative will benefit more than 500,000 Year 0-8 students and their teachers, delivering high-quality, curriculum-aligned mathematics resources. Schools will be able to choose from a variety of approved suppliers starting in October 2024, with materials arriving in classrooms by Term 1 of 2025.

Reprioritisation of Funding

The $30 million in funding will come from reallocating resources from the Te Ahu o te Reo Māori programme, which had previously received $100 million since 2019. The decision was based on an evaluation that found no clear evidence of the programme's impact on student progress or classroom use of te reo Māori.

"While we remain committed to revitalising te reo Māori, we are making adjustments to ensure that maths achievement is prioritized," said Stanford. The Government will continue to support te reo Māori learning through other initiatives, particularly in Māori medium schools and kura.

Urgency for Change

Stanford highlighted the urgent need to improve maths education, with just 45% of high school students passing foundational maths. "I'm not prepared to let 60,000 kids entering school next year follow the same path. Maths achievement must be a priority."

The funding shift aims to ensure equitable access to quality instructional materials in both English and te reo Māori, as part of the Government's broader Make it Count Action Plan to transform maths education across New Zealand.

"This Government has clarity, determination, and purpose to deliver an education system that sets up our children for success," Stanford concluded.