New Zealand’s education system is undergoing its largest overhaul in decades, with new curricula, rewritten qualifications and greater accountability for schools.

But as policymakers focus on lifting standards, another challenge is building: how to support the rising number of students struggling in mainstream classrooms.

Over the past decade, the number of students outside mainstream school has doubled to almost 15,000.

More than 9,000 students are now learning remotely through Te Kura because of wellbeing and engagement issues, while another 2,000 attend alternative education providers. New Zealand’s small charter school network has also experienced a 200% increase in enrolments.

Last month, the Education Review Office (ERO) warned New Zealand was failing many young people in the alternative education system. Its call for an urgent overhaul came at a pivotal moment.

Countries that have embarked on similar waves of education reform have often seen growing demand for alternative education, particularly where vulnerable students have not been adequately supported.

In England, enrolments in alternative provision increased by 156% between 2017/18 and 2024/25. The growth has been concentrated among some of the education system’s most vulnerable students, particularly those in their mid-teens and who have special educational needs.

In the United States, charter school enrolments grew from 2.7 million students........

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