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Home > Campaigning > Curriculum Change - calling on School Boards to join the conversation > PPTA survey reveals widespread concerns about curriculum implementation

PPTA survey reveals widespread concerns about curriculum implementation

Teachers are the experts in teaching and learning. The pulse check demonstrates the importance of listening to the profession as curriculum decisions are made. These findings reinforce concerns raised by members about implementation timeframes, workload impacts and the need to ensure curriculum changes are practical, workable and educationally sound.

PPTA Te Wehengarua surveyed teachers and school leaders across Aotearoa New Zealand to understand how they view the proposed curriculum changes and implementation timelines. The pulse check received 996 responses from educators representing a wide range of learning areas and roles.

 
The findings show that while teachers support the goal of a strong curriculum, many have significant concerns about the content of the draft learning areas, the amount of change being introduced at once, and the time available for schools to prepare.
 

Our key findings

Teachers want changes made before implementation
Across most learning areas, respondents believed changes were needed before the curriculum is rolled out. Many described concerns about excessive content, workload pressures, lack of flexibility, and unrealistic expectations for implementation.
 

Clear majority (59-61%) support for significant change in these learning area:

  • Learning Languages 
  • Health and Physical Education 
  • Social Sciences

Around half support significant change in:

  • The Arts
  • English
  • Science

Less than half (36-44%) support significant change but a majority support at least targeted change in:

  • Mathematics and Statistics
  • Technology

Many teachers support delaying implementation

Teachers expressed concern that implementation timelines are moving ahead before issues identified by the profession have been adequately addressed. Many respondents said schools need more time, clearer guidance and greater certainty before significant curriculum changes are introduced. 

Common themes from teachers

While concerns varied across learning areas, several themes appeared consistently throughout the survey.
 

Too much content

Teachers repeatedly raised concerns that learning areas contain too much content to be effectively taught within the available time. Respondents worried that breadth would come at the expense of deep learning and meaningful engagement.

Insufficient time for implementation

Many respondents reported that schools and teachers need more time to adapt programmes, develop resources and prepare students for the new requirements.

Reduced flexibility

A common concern was that some learning areas have become more prescriptive, limiting teachers' ability to respond to local contexts and the needs of their learners.

Workload pressures

Teachers highlighted the challenge of implementing major curriculum change while also managing existing teaching, assessment and pastoral responsibilities.

Teachers' voices

"There needs to be urgent adjustment to the curriculum that we will teach. It's too important for this to be rushed." 

"There is not adequate time for teachers to fully prepare quality lessons without a finalised curriculum to work with." 

"Far too much content has been crammed into the new curriculum. This will reduce understanding, skill development and practical experience." 

"The curriculum is dense and feels like throwing stuff at students."

The full report on the survey can be found in MYPAGE, including feedback from the different learning areas. You will need to login to access this information, contact membership if you cannot.

Last modified on Wednesday, 2 September 2026 12:05