The Education Minister says NCEA results are disappointing.
More than half of the 55 thousand teens who attempted the new NCEA prerequisite tests failed their numeracy assessment.
Reading had a pass rate of 59%, while 56% of the students passed writing.
The Government's aiming for 80% of Year eight students to be at or above curriculum level by 2030.
Education Minister Erica Stanford told Mike Hosking this will take some time.
She says there's a whole range of levers they're pulling to make sure primary school kids are learning structured maths and literacy.
LISTEN ABOVE

Mark the Week: New Zealand's turnaround is real
02:21

Mike's Minute: Air NZ has issues and the turnaround is a way off
02:08

Richard Arnold: US Correspondent on the continued tensions between Iran and the US
06:10