The Government is trialling an intensive maths tutoring programme to pick up students falling behind.

It'll run over the first two terms of next year, for about 2,000 Year 7 and 8 pupils.

The trial will use small-group tutoring and supervised online tuition for 30 minutes, up to four times a week.

Education Minister Erica Stanford says it's the first of its kind. 

"This is going to be a hybrid model, where we have some young people learn in groups of four just with a tutor - and then we'll have a hybrid model where we've got that happening, plus some online learning using a maths programme." 

LISTEN ABOVE

• Christopher Luxon's numbers fumble as PM conflates maths and reading rates
• Watch: 'Total system failure' - Luxon addresses media after maths action plan announcement
• Government moves on school cellphone ban, an hour of maths, writing, reading
• NZ school students’ performance falling in maths and science: Pisa report
• Govt to legislate consistent maths, reading, and writing teaching in schools