Submissions

To: Ministry of Education 
Date: April 2026

Purpose

The purpose of this submission was to express DPA’s concerns about the new proposed new school curriculum for primary, middle and secondary school students. 

Many disabled students will be less likely to succeed and thrive if the new curriculum is implemented as written, given that the government’s proposed academic assessment and reporting guidelines will be introduced alongside this, including the return of pass/fail grades. 

Summary of DPA submission

DPA agrees with the feedback from education sector stakeholders including teachers, principals and curriculum experts that all draft subject curricula need to be fully reviewed and re-written. 

DPA asks that the proposed curriculum changes are not introduced on January 1, 2027, so that they can be fully re-written to be more fit for purpose. 

DPA asks that the Universal Design Learning principles sit at the centre of the newly rewritten curriculum and that it is specifically referenced within it. 

DPA strongly urges that all draft subject curricula are fully re-written in partnership with education sector stakeholders including, for example, teachers, principals, learners and the families/whānau of learners. 

DPA asks that disabled learners, the families/whānau of disabled learners, inclusive education practitioners, disabled people’s organisations, disability organisations and disability educational support staff are fully involved as co-design partners in the curriculum rewriting process.