Maths debacle: NZ First hits back

NZ First has hit back against a new report that has criticised teachers and how maths is being taught in schools.

The report criticises teachers for having a poor grasp of maths and blames them for poor results in the classroom.

Tracey Martin, New Zealand First deputy leader and education spokesperson says teachers are being blamed unfairly.

"But in 2010 the Ministry removed school support advisors who delivered onsite workshops and syndicate and teacher professional development, which included the Numeracy Project," she says.

"In 2013, Professor Vince Wright, who coordinated the Ministry-led Numeracy Project from 2000 to 2010, said he was concerned about the lack of improvement. The Ministry failed to act on the issues raised. Was this because he is an educator and not a businessman?

"Doing away with dedicated teacher training colleges was a major step backward for the advancement of several subjects, particularly maths teaching," says Martin.

"Instead of heaping all the blame on teachers yet again, Education Minister Hekia Parata and her ministry should look in the mirror when it comes to maths results failures.

She adds, "It's a case of another top down, resourced-starved initiative that our teachers have done their best to deliver every day in the classroom."