Labour's new education policy is being described as a Band-Aid for a deeper problem.  

The party is promising two million hours of free literacy and maths tutoring for intermediate and high school students and a training fund to help teachers.  

Education Hub founder Dr Nina Hood told Mike Hosking one-on-one or small group tutoring is one of the most effective interventions.  

But she says unless the underlying issues of why so many young people aren't achieving literacy and maths are addressed, there won't be a long term change. 

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