Was New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER) one of the providers considered by the Ministry of Education before it decided to award a contract to Learning First in 2024/25 without undertaking a competitive tendering process and if so, why was NZCER not given an opportunity to take part in a competitive tendering process for this work?

Answer

I am advised that, throughout the life of the Curriculum and Assessment Change Programme, the Ministry of Education (the Ministry) has engaged numerous sector experts, academics, subject associations and a range of suppliers, one of these being the New Zealand Council for Educational Research. Regarding the specific contract awarded to Learning First, I am advised that the Ministry searched the All of Government Consultancy Panel (the Policy, Research and Development subcategory) and confirmed that no supplier met the requirement for independent, international education sector experience that was available to deliver the specific services in the timeframe required.