Western Bay of Plenty secondary school teachers now have two days up their sleeves to assist with planning and preparation for the new NCEA standards.

Education Minister Anne Tolley says teachers will get two professional support days, something she believes will be valuable extra support.

'I've discussed this issue with the PPTA, and NZQA is working with the union and the Secondary Principals' Association to ensure schools are in the best possible position to deliver the changes.”

The first professional support day is planned for the end of July, with the second during term-four.

The decision of exactly when these will take place is at each school's discretion.

'These teacher-only days are an option,” says Anne.

'The NZQA and the Ministry of Education are developing a planning and preparation tool-kit for teachers to use, if needed, over the two support days.”