Let Me Speak Urges Reform, Not Abolition, Of NCEA To Truly Support New Zealand Youth

As debate intensifies over the future of New Zealand’s National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA), youth advocacy group Let Me Speak is calling for thoughtful reform rather than outright abolition of the system.

The proposed overhaul would replace NCEA with a new qualification structure, but Let Me Speak founder, Aayush Sharma, 17, says the real issues lie not in the qualification itself, but in how it is being delivered and supported.

“I firmly believe that the problem isn’t NCEA itself, it’s how the system is run and the criteria it uses. Abolishing NCEA would erase the progress young people have fought for. Instead, we need to fine-tune and improve NCEA so it better supports diverse learners and truly prepares us for the future,” said Sharma.

Let Me Speak warns that a complete reset risks creating confusion and instability for both students and teachers. They argue that improving classroom teaching, investing in educators, and strengthening student support would be more effective than starting from scratch.

“The debate shouldn’t just be about abolishing NCEA, it should be about raising the quality of teaching and creating real incentives for students to engage. Changing the system won’t fix learning if teachers aren’t properly trained or supported to connect with students and deliver meaningful lessons,” Sharma added.

Nate Rastrick, 16, Let Me Speak spokesperson from Hamilton, echoed these concerns about rushed reforms:

“Replacing NCEA sounds like progress, but in reality it risks confusion, inequality, and burnout for both students and teachers. We've been through rushed reforms before, and there's no reason to believe this rollout will be any different. If we want real change, it starts with listening to youth, investing in teachers, and focusing on what actually works in classrooms, not just rebranding qualifications.”

Aiden, 16, from Hawke’s Bay, pointed to the increased pressure from external exams in the new proposal:

“There are also major problems with the proposal itself, especially the focus on external exams. These exams are an outdated concept that are notoriously difficult for people with learning difficulties. Students who work hard enough to pass without them should be allowed to do so, and education should be focused on critical thinking and knowledge rather than memory and speed.”

Ruby-Grace, 17, from Christchurch, added that the government must prioritise resourcing:

“Significant changes need to be made; a priority should be funding more teachers so that we can have smaller class sizes, therefore supporting students more.”

Let Me Speak is urging education decision-makers to engage directly with young people before making irreversible changes to the education system. Rather than abolishing NCEA, they say reform should target quality teaching, equity of access and inclusive assessment tools that empower all students.

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