PM Post-Cabinet Press Conference - 17 February 2014

Prime Minister John Key and Education Minister Hekia Parata met with the press gallery today to discuss improvements in high school education results. They reported that increasing numbers of students are leaving high school with NCEA Level 2 or higher, with a significant improvement seen in Maori and Pasifika retainment within education. National plans to invest $359 million in education over the next four years.

Currently, 77% of students leave high school with at least NCEA Level 2. When asked what has happened to the other 23% of students, Key said they are worked with under the Youth Guarantee or Youth Transition Services. At an earlier level of education, National operates the Count Me In program, whose primary purpose is to make sure children from years 7-10 remain engaged with the school system.

As a journalist pointed out, however, the improved statistics do not necessarily reflect the efficacy of National's education policies, but are indicative of difficult economic realities. Where once students could more easily leave school and find employment, during the recession there is more pressure to stay in school, and get qualifications. Key pointed out that raising overall statistics of students remaining in school thus becomes more difficult when working with larger numbers of students.

Other topics discussed in the press conference included the Commerce Commission's probe into Countdown, restrictions on alcohol with regard to boating, the government's relationship with Christchurch City Council, Colin Craig's defamation suit against Russel Norman, and the government's line of BMWs.

Video incomplete; listen to audio below.

ENDS

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