Is Learning First the only education provider in the world able to provide advice on international curriculum benchmarking and consistency with comparable countries who have knowledge-rich curricula to ensure that New Zealand kids can compete internationally and if not, why did the Ministry of Education not tender the contract signed with Learning First in April 2025?

Answer

I have been advised by the Ministry of Education (the Ministry) that, although other international experts in the field of international curriculum design exist, the Minsitry considered that location was a factor in the ability to cost effectively collaborate with New Zealand educators, subject matter experts, and stakeholders. The Curriculum and Assessment Change Programme sought an exemption from open tender to direct source in line with Rule 14.9 (c) which, at the time, provided for an exemption to open tendering if the goods, services or works could be supplied by only one supplier and there was no reasonable alternative or substitute, for technical reasons, there is no real competition.