There's determination from the Education Minister to continue focusing on literacy and numeracy in schools. 

New data shows 70% of Level 1 students passed NCEA last year, down from 82% the previous year. 

It's partly due to the new 20-credit foundational literacy and numeracy requirement. 

Erica Stanford told Tim Beveridge there was a cohort of students who were getting enough credits but couldn't pass the requirements throughout the year. 

She says it's why more investment was announced to target young people in 169 schools in term four. 

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