Locals will be pleased to learn about new government initiatives designed to provide additional support for students struggling with reading and maths.

The expanded programmes aim to help more children achieve their academic potential across the country, including those in the Hibiscus Coast.

Education Minister Erica Stanford announced the expansion, emphasising the importance of early intervention for young learners.

“We are relentlessly focused on giving more Kiwi kids confidence at school so they can achieve their potential. Due to high demand, we’re expanding literacy and maths intervention support so more students who need help, get it,” she said.

Education Minister Erica Stanford.

Earlier this year, $33 million was redirected from Reading Recovery and Early Literacy Support to structured literacy approaches, benefiting 770 schools nationwide.

Beginning in Term 1 next year, an additional 200 schools will gain access to a trained structured literacy teacher to assist Years 0-2 students requiring extra support.

The Government has reprioritised $5 million to ensure the programme meets growing demand.

In addition, the Government is expanding a targeted maths acceleration trial for Year 7 and 8 students.

The 12-week programme, which includes small group tutoring and supervised online tuition sessions, will now assist 3000 students—an increase of 1000 from its original scope.

Students will receive up to four 30-minute sessions per week during Terms 1 and 2 in 2025, helping them reach curriculum benchmarks in maths.

“These measures ensure schools are well-equipped to deliver structured literacy and maths in the years ahead,” said Ms Stanford.

The Government has also committed to raising the percentage of Year 8 students achieving curriculum expectations in reading, writing, and maths to 80 per cent by 2030.

With the expansion, the structured literacy initiative will now benefit 970 schools nationwide, while the increased maths trial will cost an additional $3 million.

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