The quality of education in New Zealand is ranked among the best in the world. The country consistently gains high ratings in measures such as the UN Human Development Index. Subsequently, New Zealand has a high proportion of residents who have upper secondary or tertiary qualifications.
Expats moving to the island country with children will have no difficulty finding an affordable, high-quality school. Cities such as Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch have a broad range to choose from.
Only citizens and permanent residents are entitled to free public education in New Zealand. Parents in the country on a temporary visa will need to apply for a student visa for their children. This registers them as domestic students, enabling them to receive a free education within the public school system. Although residents do not pay public school fees, some schools ask for voluntary donations from parents. In addition, parents will need to budget for other expenses such as uniforms, sporting equipment, field trips and stationery.
New Zealand follows a southern-hemisphere school calendar. This means the school year begins in late January and ends mid-December. There are four terms each year, and the longest holiday periods are in July and December. Dates often differ slightly for primary and secondary schools.
Public schools in New Zealand
The vast majority of children attend public schools in New Zealand. Known for providing a high standard of education, state schools can be either co-educational or single-sex. Schools are usually secular, although a small number of state-integrated schools operate according to a particular religious ethos. These institutions are usually privately owned but controlled by the state.
School is compulsory from age six up until 16, although it is possible to enrol at the age of five. Most children in New Zealand do, however, continue to Years 12 and 13 to acquire the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA). The NCEA is internationally regarded and readily accepted by overseas universities. It is awarded at three levels that correspond to Years 11, 12 and 13.
Children are placed in a state school that serves their geographic zone. For this reason, the best schools typically push up property prices in the suburbs they are in.
Private and international schools in New Zealand
Compared with public school fees, international schools are expensive in New Zealand. Private schools receive about a quarter of their funding from the government, and the rest from school fees. There is a range of private schools in New Zealand, including several offering the International Baccalaureate and the IGCSE/A-Levels.
Some international schools in New Zealand are among the best in the world. They provide the benefit of allowing students to continue following the curriculum from their home country. This leads to a more consistent schooling experience.
Homeschooling in New Zealand
In New Zealand, all children aged between six and 16 are required to enrol in and attend a registered school. Therefore, parents wanting to homeschool their children in New Zealand will need to apply for permission from the Ministry of Education. They will also need to prove that their child will be taught as regularly and as well as in a regular school – although the law is vague on what counts as sufficient proof. Once the ministry has granted an exemption certificate, parents are then entitled to claim a state-sponsored stipend to help with costs.
Homeschooling is not a particularly popular method. Nevertheless, there are good online resources and support groups to help expat parents, such as the Home Education Foundation.
Special needs education in New Zealand
The New Zealand Disability Strategy guides the work of government agencies on disability issues in New Zealand. All local schools and education services provide inclusive education. Teachers and educators are trained to support and believe in students with special needs. They encourage students to progress and achieve and value their contribution to the learning environment.
Resource Teachers: Learning and Behaviour service (RTLB) are specialists or teachers who work across a number of schools in New Zealand. They support schools and manage the additional learning needs of students in a number of ways.
New Zealand also has a number of residential special schools (RSS). These schools are for students with educational needs relating to vision, hearing, and socialisation, behaviour, and learning. Parents of children with special needs can contact their local office to find out about enrolment. The New Zealand Ministry of Education has a well-developed website that will help prospective parents as well.
Tutors in New Zealand
Private tutoring in New Zealand is a growing industry. However, it is an area where parents can be vulnerable to scam offers and misleading advertising.
In 2008, the New Zealand Tutoring Association (NZTA) Ltd. was created to protect parents and students. It is the only association of its kind in New Zealand. It represents tutoring organisations and educational tutors throughout New Zealand. The association was formed in recognition of the need to unify the tutoring industry nationally. It aims to represent tutors and tutoring organisations, act as a lobby group and raise the standard of tutoring in New Zealand.
Tertiary education in New Zealand
There is a wide range of formal and vocational options when it comes to tertiary education in New Zealand. There are different types of institutions in this category, each with their own focus and approach. These include traditional universities, Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs), Private Training Establishments (PTEs), Industry Training Organisations (ITOs) as well as Wananga (Maori institutions).
Formal courses are offered by the country's eight universities, where students must meet a minimum level of English language proficiency to gain acceptance. The University of Auckland is generally recognised as the best university in New Zealand. Though several universities are ranked internationally and all provide a high standard of education. Degrees in New Zealand tend to either be three-year courses followed by an optional one-year honours degree or four-year qualifications, depending on the field of study.
Tertiary education is partly state-funded, and permanent resident students have their tuition subsidised. Expats who travel to the country with the express purpose of studying will, however, need to acquire a New Zealand study visa if their course lasts longer than 12 weeks.
Are you an expat living in New Zealand?
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