Porirua College's principal is doubling down on deciding to cancel NCEA literacy tests

Students must pass the new online literacy and numeracy tests to receive NCEA qualification - but there are alternatives this year and the next year, while the new curriculum is brought in.

Ragne Maxwell says half of all students countrywide are failing the tests .

She says her students are being overloaded with work - and not in the best position to take another exam.