18 July 2022
[FYI request #17314 email]
CH14854
Tēnā koe
Thank you for your email of 6 June 2022 about the Cambridge International exams that were
impacted by COVID-19 in New Zealand. I understand you have also written to, and received a
response from, the Ministry of Education on this matter.
As advised by the Ministry, the Official Information Act does not apply to your request.
The last few years have been challenging for many students, particularly those in Auckland. We
had to make some tough decisions to protect the health of our people, with the health, safety and
wellbeing of everyone in New Zealand being our top priority.
As you know, while the Ministry is responsible for NCEA, it does not hold responsibility for exams
administered by international examining boards, such as the Cambridge exams. Any
COVID-19-related changes to assessment conditions, such as the timing of examinations in
2021, sat with the owner of the qualification and the Association of Cambridge Schools in
New Zealand (Inc).
Due to the COVID-19 disruptions in 2021, and in consultation with Cambridge Assessment
International Education, students in Auckland were entitled to 2.5 additional University Entrance
tariff points for every 10 points they achieved from the assessment, up to a maximum of 30
points.
A range of resources were made available for all schools, learners and whānau to support them
through the impacts of COVID-19, and you can find these at
temahau.govt.nz/covid-19/covid-19-
and-wellbeing. The Ministry also encourages students and whānau to work closely with their
school or kura, as they can make sure the right supports are in place for students who may be
struggling with their wellbeing.
Throughout 2021, all teachers and schools were supported by local Ministry offices to help them
through any challenges they faced during COVID-19 restrictions, regardless of which
examinations students were participating in.
As you will appreciate, it was necessary to balance education outcomes with the need to protect
the health of young people and school staff. Students, parents and whānau can be assured that
our approach strictly aligned with public health advice and was designed to keep students, their
teachers and their communities as safe as possible.
Thank you again for writing, and I wish you all the best.
Yours sincerely
Chris Hipkins
Minister of Education
Document Outline
- Re_ FW_ Official Information request - Support for CIE Students.pdf
- FW_ Official Information request - Support for CIE Students.pdf
- Binder1.pdf
