Otago pupils are leading the country in NCEA achievement, the region having recorded the highest rates across all three levels last year.
Otago had the highest level 1 attainment rate among year 11s with 83%, the highest level 2 rate among year 12s with 85% and the highest level 3 rate among year 13s with 79%.
Nationally, the attainment rate was 69% for level 1 in year 11, 77% for level 2 in year 12 and 70% for level 3 in year 13s.
Otago Secondary Principals’ Association secretary Gavin Kidd said the results were a positive reflection on the quality of schools in the region.
It proved pupils in the region were still motivated despite the struggles of schooling throughout the pandemic, he said.
NZQA executive assessment deputy chief Andrea Gray said nationally level 1 rates among year 11s had been falling since 2017 as schools moved away from offering a full level 1 programme and instead focused on a two-year pathway to achieving level 2.
However, the attainment rate for Otago pupils has remained consistent across the past three years, last year matching the 2020 rate and increasing 1% on 2019.
Southland also remained high with a 79% rate in 2021, an 80% rate in 2020 and a 77% rate in 2019.
For year 12 pupils taking level 2, Otago and Southland were consistently ahead of the average.
Nationally, 77% of pupils achieved the qualification, while 85% of Otago and 83% of Southland pupils attained it.
The Otago pass rate was down on last year’s 89%, but equal to the rate in 2019.
The lead stretched further for year 13 pupils in Otago last year, having a 79% rate against the national 70%.
However, Southland pupils fell behind the national average on a 68% pass rate.
