Dear John --

New data shows that last year, just 22 per cent of Year 8 students were at the expected curriculum level for maths. Incredibly, three in five are more than a year behind.

I am appalled. So at the National Party conference yesterday, I announced what we're doing to fix it:

For every kid walking into school, backpack on, ready to take on the world, my message is simple. I cannot change the choices you make, or the home you were born into, but I will move heaven and earth to give you the best possible start in life with an outstanding education.

We’re launching the Make It Count maths action plan, to take effect from Term 1 next year. Here’s what you need to know:

Curriculum

We are accelerating the shift to a new maths curriculum – so from Term 1 next year, every child will be learning maths based on a new world-leading, knowledge rich maths curriculum – similar to countries like Singapore and Australia.

We’re also rolling out top-quality resources to support teachers for every school – giving parents the confidence that their child will success.

Workforce

Anyone wanting to train as a teacher will need at least NCEA Level 2 maths and we’ll invest $20 million for professional development in structured maths for teachers.

Assessment

Every child will have twice yearly assessments for maths in primary schools from the start of 2025 – and we’ll have small group interventions to support students who have fallen significantly behind.

We’ve already required an hour a day each of maths, reading and writing in schools, banned cell phones from classrooms and we’re rolling out structured literacy to improve achievement but it’s clear we have a serious turnaround job on our hands.

I know this news will be distressing.

But we have a plan.

Whether you’re a teacher, a parent, a principal – or you’re a kid still working out what your future will hold: we have your back. I have your back. The country has your back.

We’re going to get education back on track.