The school system in New Zealand is divided into three main sectors:
Early childhood education
The compulsory sector and
Tertiary education/other adult learning.
EARLY CHILDHOOD
Early childhood services include kindergartens, childcare centres, playcentres, home-based care, kohanga reo (which are based on total immersion in the Maori language and values), Pacific Islands language groups and playgroups. Each one has its own philosophy and way of working.
COMPULSORY SECTOR
It is compulsory for children to attend primary, intermediate and secondary school. This means children have to attend school from the ages of six to 16. However, most children begin school earlier, at five years of age, and most leave later at 18 or 19.
Most New Zealand schools are co-educational - they take both females and males, but there are also single sex schools.
The school year runs from February to December and has four terms. These are broken up by three holidays of two to three weeks and a six week summer holiday.
Class sizes vary depending on the subject. Many classes have 30 students but some have as few as five. Classes are typically an hour long.
School days are Monday to Friday, starting at around 9am and finishing at about 3.30pm, (3.00pm for primary schools) with short breaks mid morning and afternoon and an hour off at lunchtime.
Types of Schools
There are three main types of schools in NZ
- State Schools are funded by the government and are free to anyone under the age of 19. Most secondary schools in NZ are state schools.
While government-funded schooling is free, most state schools still request donations from parents. These donations are called school fees. Families must also pay for stationery, text books and uniforms (if they are required). The cost of these things differs from school to school.
- Private schools are owned and run by an independent board, but are only allowed to operate if they meet certain standards. Private schools charge fees.
- Integrated schools are schools which used to be private but are now state schools. They follow the state school curriculum but also have their own individual beliefs - usually religious or ethical. Integrated schools charge fees but they're usually not as expensive as private schools.
New Zealand also offers “correspondence” education for children who for some reason cannot attend school, and specialist education services for children with special needs.
English as a second language
Many schools provide extra English tuition for students who do not speak it as their first language.
Corporal punishment
Teachers are not allowed to hit, cane, slap or in any way physically punish students.
Uniforms
Many secondary schools have a school uniform. This may be a blazer and tie or a school sweatshirt - it's up to the school to decide. In some schools year 13 students don't have to wear the school uniform.
The adult population is virtually 100% literate, and excluding those still at school, 45.0 percent of people reported they had at least one existing post-school qualification in the September 1996 quarter (987,200 out of 2,192,400 people).
[Source - Statistics NZ ]
TERTIARY EDUCATION
About half of all school leavers go on to higher education. They study at one of five types of institution:
- University
- Polytechnic
- College of education
- Wananga
- Private training establishments
Most tertiary institutions begin their academic year in February. Many half year courses at polytechnics begin in July. Closing dates for applications vary from one institution to another, but for courses starring in February it is recommended that intending students apply by September of the previous year.
The government funds state tertiary institutions and meets most, but not all, of the costs of providing tuition. Currently students contribute about 25% of the cost of their course.
Tuition fees for universities in 2000 ranged from NZ$2,000 to NZ$20,000 depending on the institution and the course. Check out the fees with individual institutions before enrolling in the course.
Universities
There are eight universities in New Zealand
- University of Auckland
- Auckland University of Technology
- University of Waikato
(in Hamilton)
- Massey University
(in Palmerston North, Wellington and in Albany near Auckland)
- Victoria University of Wellington
- University of Canterbury
(in Christchurch)
- Lincoln University
(near Christchurch)
- University of Otago
(in Dunedin)
All university students must be able to speak English and most tertiary institutions need evidence that you can read and write English up to a good standard.
You may be asked to pass a test such as IELTS level 6 or 6.5 or TOEFL 550 with a minimum score of 4 or 5 on the written test.
Both these tests are internationally recognised and can be sat in New Zealand.
Polytechnics
There are 21 polytechnics in New Zealand. They provide a wide range of academic, vocational and professional courses.
Like universities they also promote research, particularly in applied and technological fields. As well as three and four year degrees, polytechnics offer short full time courses and part time courses. These can start and finish almost any time during the year.
Colleges of Education (Teacher Training)
There are four colleges of education in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. They provide training for early childhood and school teachers. Waikato and Massey Universities also offer teacher training courses.
Private training establishments
There are several thousand private training establishments in New Zealand. Over 800 are registered with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, the body responsible for administering national qualifications. They offer a wide range of courses, but tend to specialise in particular subjects- About a quarter are Maori owned and operated. A small number offer degrees.
