The NCEA Change Programme is a work programme led by the Ministry of Education to deliver a package of seven changes aimed at strengthening NCEA:

1. Make NCEA more accessible – zero fees, fewer barriers for learners with disabilities and learning support needs.
2. Equal status for mātauranga Māori in NCEA – develop new ways to recognise mātauranga Māori, build teacher capability, and improve resourcing and support for Māori learners and te ao Māori pathways.
3. Strengthen literacy and numeracy requirements and assessments – ensure students with an NCEA have functional literacy and numeracy skills that will ready them to transition into tertiary education or the workplace.
4. Fewer, larger standards – new achievement standards and resources will be developed to replace existing standards and ensure the qualification achieved credentials the most significant learning in a learning area or subject.
5. Simplify NCEA's structure – credits can no longer be carried over to the next level and resubmissions will only be allowed where they take students from a ‘Not Achieved’ grade to an ‘Achieved’ grade. Sixty credits are required to pass each NCEA level.
6. Clearer pathways to further education or work – develop a Vocational Entrance Award to clearly signal when a student is ready to transition into higher level vocational education and strengthen vocational pathways through NCEA.
7. Keep NCEA Level 1 optional – ensure Level 1 provides students with the broad, foundational knowledge needed to support specialization at Levels 2 and 3.

NCEA Change Programme Timeline 2019 - 2026

More Information

Whānau Pocket Guide | designed to help you better understand the changes taking place within NCEA

Changes to Strengthen NCEA | explains the seven changes that are being implemented as part of the NCEA Change Programme

Strengthening NCEA For Young People | What is the NCEA Change Programme?

NCEA Changes For Employers | What do NCEA changes mean for employers?

ncea.education.govt.nz | NCEA Education