Some think it's outdated and unnecessary, but others say cursive is desperately needed to fix their children's dreadful handwriting. Photo: 123RF
A call to make cursive compulsory in schools has split the public, with some calling it outdated and unnecessary, but others thinking it is desperately needed to fix their children's dreadful handwriting.
A ministerial advisory group has recommended grammar and handwriting lessons, including cursive handwriting, in primary schools as part of a revisal of the English curriculum.
RNZ went out on the streets of Wellington to ask people what they think.
An education facilitator says handwriting is not hard to teach, and is valuable for brain development and memorisation.
Belinda Blick-Duggan, who specialises in the teaching of handwriting, said it was a myth that it was no longer important in the modern world.
"It activates the brain areas and it's linked to memory retention, learning new information," she said. "There's all sorts of research that shows it's still really, really important."
Handwriting's still an important tool, says education specialist
Blick-Duggan said there were not enough teachers who could teach cursive writing.
"I realised a couple of years ago that there were a whole lot of teachers who didn't have the skill - through no fault of their own, but because of changes to the curriculum and so on.
"So I've created videos which serve a dual purpose - it upskilled the teachers, but at the same time, taught the children. They've been used all over the country.
"It's one of those things that are actually not too difficult, I think, to roll out."