More secondary teachers needed to deliver new curriculum

“It is clear that in order to deliver the new curriculum, teachers will need more time with students,” says Chris Abercrombie, PPTA Te Wehengarua president.  

“More time requires smaller classes, more teachers and more support for students that need it. Professional learning and resources are helpful, but they don’t replace the time needed to teach this expanded curriculum, especially in increasingly diverse classrooms.” 

“Teachers raised concerns about inclusivity in the draft, and the response from the Ministry is that it’s up to teachers to make it inclusive.”

Chris Abercrombie said the guidance talked about planning for multiple ways to participate and providing universal supports. “However, without support for students with unmet learning needs, this is unrealistic.

 “The Minister’s promise of investment in implementation supports is welcome, but the crucial thing is keeping teachers in the profession, with the skills, experience and knowledge that they can bring to this implementation process. Without that, this curriculum risks being unworkable.” 

He said feedback on the English draft curriculum was that most respondents considered that implementing the new curriculum at the beginning of 2026 was unrealistic. “This hasn’t changed. That places serious pressure on the willingness of teachers to stay in the profession. 

 “We also have serious concerns about how this version reflects Te Tiriti o Waitangi, given its departure from Te Mātaiaho - the framework intended to embed a mātauranga Māori worldview. It’s hard to see how this version reflects Te Tiriti o Waitangi as claimed, given its departure from that foundation.

“Teachers want this curriculum to succeed. That means real investment: meeting students’ learning needs, more teachers, and genuine partnership with the profession. Anything less risks undermining both educational equity and quality.”