Children's enjoyment of reading, writing and maths drops

New Zealand’s latest Curriculum Insights Study reveals a significant drop in children’s enjoyment of reading, writing, and maths over the past seven years. Among Year 8 students, those who dislike reading rose from 8% in 2019 to 16% in 2025, while those who believe they’re not good at reading jumped from 6% to 13%. Similar trends appear in maths, with 19% of Year 8s reporting disinterest in 2025, up from 9% in 2018. The study, conducted by the University of Otago and the New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER) for the Education Ministry, also found Year 6 students’ reading enjoyment fell from 4% in 2023 to 11% in 2025, while Year 3 students’ dislike decreased slightly but confidence in their reading ability dropped sharply. Researchers note the decline aligns with international trends, though no single cause—such as screen time—has been confirmed. Sue McDowall of NZCER cautioned that the decline is concerning, as motivation directly impacts academic performance. ‘There’s a bi-directional relationship: students who enjoy reading achieve more, and those who succeed become more motivated,’ she said. The study did not explore why enjoyment is falling, but experts suggest factors like reduced engagement with texts for pleasure may play a role. Ruth Boyask, an associate professor at AUT, highlighted that New Zealand’s reading enjoyment levels had previously bucked global declines but now mirror international trends observed in studies like PIRLS. She emphasized the need for teachers to foster both technical reading skills and intrinsic motivation through pleasure reading. The findings underscore a growing challenge for New Zealand’s education system, where declining interest in core subjects could hinder long-term academic outcomes. Researchers urge further investigation into potential drivers, including changes in teaching methods or student engagement strategies.