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 Education for children in New Zealand |
04 Feb 09 |
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Ministry of Education |
Education for children in New Zealand
The New Zealand Ministry of Education oversees education for children aged from 0-19 years in New Zealand.
The New Zealand education system is based on several guiding principles including:
• culturally appropriate early childhood services
• free of charge primary and secondary school education for New Zealand citizens and permanent residents
Education for children in New Zealand can be broken into three main age groups:• 0-5 years (early childhood education)
• 5-13 years (primary/intermediate school)
• 13+ years (secondary school)
The school year runs from late January or early February through to December. Early
childhood education services sometimes follow school terms.
0-5 years – Early Childhood Education (ECE)
All New Zealand pre-school, early education and childcare for children from birth to five years of age is known as early childhood education (ECE). In New Zealand most children (94%) under the age of five have attended ECE before they begin school.
ECE in New Zealand is regulated and subsidised by government. ECE services are delivered by voluntary, community and private organisations and include a wide range of learning and cultural styles.
English is the main language spoken in most ECE services, however some services provide an environment in which children learn in Maori, Pacific Island or other languages. Te Whariki is the curriculum framework used by most ECE services to guide children’s learning.
Since 2007, children aged three and four years of age can receive up to 20 free hours of ECE each week. There is also other financial support for ECE available to parents.
5-13 years – Primary/ Intermediate school
All children in New Zealand must go to school from the age of six – with most
children starting school when they are five years old.
Primary and secondary education at state schools is free of charge for children aged 5-19 years of age who are New Zealand citizens or permanent residents. Schools may, however, ask for donations – which are voluntary contributions to the running of the school.
The school years are made up of 13 year levels. Primary school education starts at year 1 and continues until year 8. Years 7 and 8 may be offered either at primary school or at a separate intermediate school. While most students in New Zealand attend state-funded schools, parents or caregivers and students have the choice of a number of schooling options.
Most schools teach in the English language, but some schools teach in Maori. Most state schools are secular (non-religious). For students in years 1-10, the child’s school is required to foster student achievement by providing all students with opportunities for success as described in the New Zealand Curriculum. In the early years of primary school, the child’s school should be focusing on literacy and numeracy, and regular quality physical activity.
In primary and intermediate schools children are usually based in one classroom with one teacher. The school day usually begins about 9.00am and finishes about 3.00pm with breaks (intervals) at midmorning, lunchtime and mid-afternoon.
Most schools put children in classes according to their age. You can talk to your child’s teacher about what is normal for their age.
Every child of school age must attend school unless prevented by sickness or some other appropriate reason. In these circumstances you should advise the school.
You will find that some things in New Zealand like school attendance, homework, school lunches, stationery, discipline, school terms and holidays, may be different from schools in your home country.
Different schools work with students who are learning English in different ways.
13+ years – Secondary school
All children in New Zealand must go to school until the age of 16 years. Secondary education covers years 9 to 13, during which students are generally aged 13 to 18. Secondary school is also known as high school or college. Most secondary schools have a uniform and students are expected to wear it.
Single-sex and mixed gender secondary schooling options are available in most larger urban areas. For students in years 1-10, the child’s school is required to foster student achievement by providing all students with opportunities for success as described in the New Zealand Curriculum.
The National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA), levels 1-3, is the national senior secondary school qualification for students in years 11-13.
Secondary schools operate differently than primary schools. Students are usually grouped in classes but go to different teachers for each subject they are studying.
During the course of the day they may move between a number of classrooms and may not necessarily be with the other students in their home/form class. The secondary school day is usually about half an hour longer than primary school – most start around 8.40am and finish at 3.20pm.
SourceInformation sourced from the Ministry of Education Migrant Booklet. Click here to download the booklet or you could also visit the Team-Up website for parents – www.teamup.co.nz
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