The Prime Minister says sweeping curriculum changes are vital to lift falling education standards

Several subject teacher groups have criticised the wide-ranging changes for Year 1 to 10 students, which are open for consultation until next year.

They say the draft curriculum is too prescribed.

But Chris Luxon says New Zealand's education standards have been slipping compared to other countries, and something needs to change.

He says half our kids aren't attending school regularly, half aren't at reading levels, and 80 percent aren't ready for high school maths.