Schools? Provisions for International Students

author:ERO

Schools? Provisions for International Students (September 2012) 06/09/2012

Introduction

Strategic environment for international education in New Zealand

International education is important to New Zealand, both socially and economically. The education of international students in New Zealand benefits the New Zealand economy and New Zealand?s relationships with other countries. In the school sector, international students add to the cultural diversity of New Zealand schools and provide a source of revenue.

The International Education Agenda, A Strategy for 2007-2012^[4], sets out the government?s vision and strategy to support the continued development of sustainable, high quality, innovative international education in New Zealand. It includes goals for those involved in international education. Goal 2 of the strategy and its key outcomes are the most relevant for New Zealand schools in relation to their enrolment of international students. This goal states that, international students are enriched by their education and living experiences in New Zealand when:

they are welcomed, receive effective orientation guidance, exemplary pastoral care, and learning support
they succeed academically and increasingly choose to continue their studies in New Zealand
they are well integrated into our educational institutions and communities.

The regulatory environment for the pastoral care of international students

Guidelines have been developed to provide a framework for education providers for the pastoral care of international students^[5]. These guidelines (the Code) were established under section 238F of the Education Act 1989. The Act (section 238E) requires that a provider must be a signatory to the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students before enrolling international students.

The guidelines focus on student needs according to the age of the student, their degree of independence, and other factors influencing their pastoral care needs.

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