Ministry News

Education is one of New Zealand’s top three service exports and the number of international students is increasing.

International student numbers on the rise

The number of international students coming to New Zealand is increasing, says Education Minister Anne Tolley.

“There was a steady decline in the number of international students in New Zealand from 2003 to 2008. These latest figures show we have reversed this trend,” says Tolley.

In 2009 there were 76,562 feepaying international students in New Zealand compared with 72,540 in 2008 – an increase of more than 4000 students.

“Education is one of our top three service exports. Last year it contributed $2.1 billion to our economy, supported more than 32,000 jobs, and provided our education institutions with nearly $600 million in fees,” she says. “The fact that more international students are choosing New Zealand as a study destination is great news.”

The latest figures can be found on the Education Counts website: www. educationcounts.govt.nz/statistics/ export_education_levy_statistics/ august-2003-2009.

Managing student behaviour

Details of the rollout of a Positive Behaviour for Learning Action Plan, developed in association with eight other education sector agencies, have been announced by the Ministry of Education.

From this term a number of behaviour management programmes will start to be rolled out to communities and schools in response to priorities agreed by the Taumata Whanonga behaviour summit held in 2009. This includes programmes and initiatives for parents and teachers, school-wide programmes, improved behaviour crisis support and improved intensive programmes for individual students with severe behaviour problems.

The programmes and initiatives will be rolled out gradually over the next five years, with a budget of $45 million for implementation through re-focusing current services and reprioritising the Enhanced Programme Fund and Student Wellbeing Initiative to support the Plan.

“The Plan focuses on both the most challenging behaviour issues and those issues associated with more frequent but less disruptive behaviour – both issues impact on learning and the well-being of students and teachers,” says Ministry of Education deputy secretary, Nicholas Pole. “It provides a proactive approach to addressing behaviour problems in a consistent and focused way across the country.”

Many of the initiatives in the Plan focus on preventing behaviour problems – getting in early in the life of the child and in the life of the problem.

“There are no quick fixes, but with long term commitment from parents, teachers, schools and communities we can achieve our aim,” says Pole. “We will know this programme is successful when students are doing better at school and at home, when there are fewer problems with poor behaviour, when parents have better relationships with their children, and when teachers are confident in addressing behaviour problems and have the support they need,” he says.

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New service academies launched

Service Academies will open at seven New Zealand secondary schools this year, Education Minister Anne Tolley has announced.

“The extra academies mean even more young people will have the opportunity to take part in a challenging and motivating programme, learn new skills, and be given a chance to succeed,” says Tolley.

The military-style programmes for year 12 and 13 students, part of the Government’s Youth Opportunities package announced by the Prime Minister in August, will be provided at schools with the help of the New Zealand Defence Force.

Students will take part in courses such as leadership and outdoor education, and work towards reaching NCEA Level 1 Mathematics and English or above.

“Service Academies are aimed at young people who may otherwise leave school and find it difficult to get a job or move on to tertiary education,” says Tolley. “After completing the yearlong programme, the aim is for these students to return to a mainstream school, go on to tertiary education or find a sustainable job.”

The additional academies join the existing 11 which are operating across the country.

The seven new Service Academies will be run through Tikipunga High School (Whangarei), Otahuhu College (Auckland), Gisborne Girls’ High School (Gisborne), Tokoroa High School (Tokoroa), Tamaki College (Auckland), Wanganui City College (Wanganui), and Te Kuiti High School (Te Kuiti).

Special education review document released

Associate Minister of Education Heather Roy has opened public consultation on the Review of Special Education, initiated as part of ACT and National’s commitment to providing all students in New Zealand with the opportunities and tools they need to fulfil their potential.

“It is fitting that the Review of Special Education Discussion Document was launched at Evans Bay Intermediate School, which will have a Kimi Ora School satellite opened on its grounds this year,” says Roy.

“The Special Education Review document proposes a vision for students with special education needs, outlines how the system works currently and asks what needs to change. I urge parents, families, teachers, students, and the education and disability sectors to submit their views.”

“Students with special education needs require the most support to learn. While many aspects of our system work well, there is room for improvement. This review is about improving the way these students are supported from across the education system to realise their potential,” she says.