The Government's charging ahead with plans to shake up maths in primary schools.

Prime Minister Chris Luxon revealed data which he says shows four out of five Year 8 students aren't at the expected level.

He's bringing forward a new math curriculum to Term 1 next year, assessing twice yearly and a $20 million boost for teachers' professional development.

Education Minister Erica Stanford says it's a massive problem.

"High school principals tell me when I walk in the door - Erica, the first thing we have to do with our Year 9s - or third formers - is teach them their times tables because they don't know them. Without fail, it's every high school I go into."

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