Māori Participation and Attainment in Science Subjects (aged 15 to 17 years) 2008 to 2012

Published online: 
21 May 2014

Summary

In 2012, there were 13,066 domestic1 Māori candidates2 aged 15 to 17 years studying within the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). Of these, 7565 (58%) participated in a science subject and, of those, 3904 (30%) attained 14 or more credits in a science subject3.

Studying science subjects at school is necessary for Māori candidates wanting to become health professionals such as doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists and physiotherapists. Studying science-related subjects also opens doors to a range of sport professions as well as other science-related professions.

Typically, candidates study science when aged 15 years and either biology, chemistry or physics when aged 16 and 17 years.

Increasing the number of Māori health professionals is vital to providing appropriate care to Māori individuals, their whānau and all New Zealanders.

Monitoring the participation and attainment of Māori candidates aged 15 to 17 years studying science subjects helps determine the number of Māori candidates looking at future careers as health professionals.

The Ministry of Education reviewed this data in 2012. There were three major changes.

  1.  Candidate information is now presented by age group rather than by year of study.
  2. Participation is defined as 14 or more credits in a subject, whereas previously it was more than 1 credit.
  3. Attainment rates are now expressed as a percentage of the student population where previously they were expressed as a percentage of those who participated in the subject.

This has resulted in lower participation rates to previous years’ analysis. However, trends remain similar. The years analysed in this spreadsheet can be compared to each other but not to results published in previous years.

The spreadsheet contains the following information:

  • definitions and statistical notes – provides information on definitions and statistical notes used in this analysis
  • list of data – a contents page showing all the data available in this spreadsheet
  • Māori and non-Māori candidates aged 15 to 17 years: participation and attainment in a science subject at school, by DHB, 2008 to 2012
  • Māori and non-Māori candidates aged 15 to 17 years: participation and attainment in a science subject at school, national results, 2008 to 2012
  • participation analysis of Māori and non-Māori candidates aged 15 to 17 years in a science subject at school, national results, 2008 to 2012
  • attainment analysis of Māori and non-Māori candidates aged 15 to 17 years in a science subject at school, national results, 2008 to 2012
  • analysis of Māori and non-Māori candidates aged 15 to 17 years participation and attainment in a science subject at school for each DHB
  • other useful resources: a list of websites where other useful education information can be obtained.

1. Domestic candidates are students at schools in New Zealand studying towards a NQF qualification excluding international students and students studying at the Correspondence School.
2. Only students studying within the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) are reported. They are referred to as candidates in line with Ministry of Education standards.
3. A science subject refers to the secondary school NQF subjects: science; chemistry; biology; and physics. A candidate may study more than one science subject.

Publishing information

  • Date of publication:
    21 May 2014
  • Citation:
    Ministry of Health. 2014. Māori participation and attainment in science subjects. Ministry of Education. 2014 Unpublished data. Wellington: Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education
  • Ordering information:
    Only soft copy available to download
  • Copyright status:

    Owned by the Ministry of Health and licensed for reuse under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence.

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