Experts are urging the Government to step up and help boost achievement rates among Māori students.

The latest NCEA data shows Māori students lagged 20 percent behind their Pakeha counterparts in reading, writing and maths.

Education consultant Alwyn Poole says this is a huge disparity - and it's been a long-term concern. 

"There are loads of examples of children from a range of situations arriving at school at 5 years old and being significantly behind - and it's been well reported on."

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