A local primary school principal has hit back at new rules the government plans to implement in schools around the country.

Late last month the new government announced a series of items to achieve in its first 100 days, which include a requirement for primary and intermediate schools to teach an hour of reading, writing and mathematics per day.

Te Kura O Take Kārara principal Jodie Howard says this indicates the government does not understand the issues affecting schools and what the true barriers to success are.

“Foundational literacy and numeracy are at the centre of our teaching and learning programmes and are priorities in the daily programme delivered to our learners,” she told the Wānaka App.

“Every day teachers teach explicit lessons in reading, writing and maths. These happen in small groups, whole class and in one to one sessions that are specifically tailored to the learning needs of each child.”

Writing and maths is also part of other subject areas like science and art, she said.

“This policy from the government implies a lack of understanding of what is actually happening in schools,” she said.

The vast majority of students achieve very well but around 25 percent are underachieving, she said, which matches the statistic of one in five children in New Zealand marginalised without secure housing or food.

“What our government actually needs to focus on is more learning support for our students and our teachers in the form of learning support assistants and specialist teachers, social workers and a wrap-around service to support our marginalised learner.

“It is not the curriculum that needs to be adapted, it's the need for more staffing support in our schools.”

The government announcement has received pushback from many schools as well as the Post Primary Teachers Association. 

“Many schools tell us they are already teaching an hour or more a day hour of reading writing and maths,” Ministry of Education curriculum centre acting leader Pauline Cleaver said.

“We will be supporting those schools still needing guidance on how to set aside the required time to teach these core skills.” 

PHOTO: Supplied