If we could mark NCEA level One... would it even get an achieved. let alone a merit or excellence?

We heard at the weekend about an ERO report. 

Basically, said the whole system is too flexible. Kids are scooping up credits from all corners of the classroom.

It's too broad and flexible, they reckon.

As a result, students aren't being properly taught core subjects.

The government's looking it. But there was a number in this report which should jump out at all parents and teachers. 

22%. 

In 2024, just 22% of NCEA results came from external assessment. Which means exams. 

The bulk of credits come from internal assessments - stuff like essays. 

This means kids can use AI and all sorts to do the work for them. 

One in four don't bother sitting the exams because they've already got enough internal credits. 

I went through the NCEA system and this happened to me too - but I would never dream of skipping an exam and missing out on credits. 

Clearly, something has to be done.

What hope do we give students if they're not being taught the basics and not being assessed properly? 

Until something's done, bad headlines and reports like this one will just keep undermining the qualification so many young people rely on to get through their working lives.