26 January 2005 Media Statement

Scholarship Awards to be extended

Education Minister Trevor Mallard today announced the New Zealand Scholarship Awards, that recognise and reward New Zealand's top school students, are to be enhanced to include more students.

"These brand new and substantial cash awards are part of the Labour-led government's commitment to encouraging and rewarding education excellence amongst the brightest of our young people," Trevor Mallard said.

"The extension of New Zealand Scholarship Awards will increase the monetary value to almost $1 million this year, so that within three years, the total value of Scholarship Awards will rise to almost $3 million.

"The changes mean more students will be eligible for awards without lowering the very high standard demanded of students in the exams. Based on the estimated number of awards there will be around 150 more awards given out than the original estimate of around 350."

The New Zealand Scholar Award is being extended to those students who achieve outstanding in one or two subjects, instead of three subjects as previously.

“Provisional results indicate that some students did exceptionally well in Scholarship, but didn’t necessarily sit three subjects. Adding more layers to the New Zealand Scholar Award means we can recognise these exceptional performers.

"It will also provide future students with even more incentive to achieve at the very highest level,” Trevor Mallard said.

A new Scholarship Award is also being introduced for students who obtain three subjects in Scholarship.

There will also be a School Award for the top student, provided that student achieved a scholarship subject.

There is to be no change to the Top Overall Scholars and the Top Subject Scholars.

Students who achieve more than one award will receive the grant of the highest value only.

“As this is the first time the new Scholarship system has been run, there is particular interest in the patterns of results and achievements of students. Ministry of Education and NZQA officials will analyse the results from Scholarship along with NCEA results, as part of the ongoing development of secondary school qualifications," Trevor Mallard said.

The following list summarises today's announcement.

2004/5 New Zealand Scholarship Awards

Top Overall Scholars
The two top performers selected from all New Zealand Scholarship award recipients.
- 1st award $15,000 per year for three years
- 2nd award $10,000 per year for thee years

New Zealand Scholar Awards
With Distinction Outstanding performance in 3 NZ Scholarship subjects
- Awarded $7,500 per year for 3 years

Outstanding performance in 2 NZ Scholarship subjects
- Awarded $4,000 per year for 3 years

Outstanding performance in 1 NZ Scholarship subject
- Awarded $2000 per year for 3 years

Scholarship Award
Scholarship in 3 subjects
- Awarded $2,000 per year for 3 years

Top Subject Scholars
In NZ Scholarship and in non-Scholarship (NCEA level 3 subjects)
- Awarded $3,000 per year for 3 years

Schools Award
Limited to one person per school, available to all schools where at least one student gains scholarship in at least one subject
- Awarded $1500 per year for three years.

ENDS

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