Erica Stanford: Education Minister on the new data revealing a significant portion of Year 8 students are behind in writing - Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The Minister of Education says much more needs to be done, as more Kiwi kids fall behind in school.

New data shows just 24 percent of Year 8 students have achieved the curriculum level in writing.

The Government's hoping to turn that around with a writing action plan, which includes tools for handwriting, literacy and reading for teachers and students.

Erica Stanford says the Government's new English curriculum aims to 'plug the gap' among Kiwi students.

"This is for those children that are in Years 6 to 8, who will not have all of the benefits of those things coming through primary."

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.