A new maths check for six-year-olds risks transforming classrooms into high-pressure environments marked by anxiety rather than the joy of learning, NZEI Te Riu Roa has warned.
“Testing more does not help children learn more; it replaces a love for maths with a fear of failure,” NZEI Te Riu Roa primary teacher leader Barbara Curran said.
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“We risk creating a generation of children who view education as a series of hurdles to be overcome rather than opportunities to be seized. Over-assessment at such a young age undermines the social and creative development essential to a child’s well-being.”
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Ms Curran said the maths check is also another blow for primary teachers already burdened by massive curriculum changes forced through by the Government without adequate resources or time.
“The maths check is the latest example of a government obsessed with testing at the expense of teaching and learning, ignoring the fact that our teachers and educators are already impacted by the rushed curriculum changes.”
“Wholesale curriculum changes are being rushed through at a reckless pace, leaving schools and educators with no time to embed learning before the next mandate arrives.”
Ms Curran noted the widespread exhaustion and frustration across the sector in the face of the Government’s refusal to acknowledge the massive impact these curriculum changes are having on the wellbeing of teachers.
“These are rushed, under-resourced reforms. Our teachers want to focus on their students, but they are being sidelined by a ‘government knows best’ approach that treats educators poorly and ignores our students’ needs,” she said.
Ms Curran cited anecdotal evidence of teachers joining the tens of thousands of New Zealanders moving overseas for better pay and working conditions.
“Last year, the Minister of Education defunded and disestablished nearly 180 resource teacher literacy and Māori positions.
“Those specialist educators were members of our union; some of them are now in Australia, where Australian kids are benefiting from their years of experience.”
