Concerns we're narrowing the focus too much in the push to improve literacy and numeracy rates.

Small improvements were seen on last year with 57% of NCEA students achieving the numeracy standard, 61% achieving the reading standard and 55% achieving the writing standard.

Secondary Principals Council Chair, Kate Gainsford told Andrew Dickens the focus hasn't been spread across other important subjects like science or languages. 

She says we need to ensure we don't neglect other parts of the curriculum while also looking at the basics.

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