Erica Stanford: Education Minister on the Government's new maths curriculum

The Government's charging ahead with plans to shake up maths in primary schools.

Prime Minister Chris Luxon revealed data which he says shows four out of five Year 8 students aren't at the expected level.

He's bringing forward a new math curriculum to Term 1 next year, assessing twice yearly and a $20 million boost for teachers' professional development.

Education Minister Erica Stanford says it's a massive problem.

"High school principals tell me when I walk in the door - Erica, the first thing we have to do with our Year 9s - or third formers - is teach them their times tables because they don't know them. Without fail, it's every high school I go into."

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