Figure 1.--.
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Figure 1.--. |
All schools, whether independent (private) or state, must operate under the provisions of the Education Act of 1989. All state and state integrated schools in New Zealand are governed by boards of trustees which includes elected parent and community volunteers, the school principal and a staff representative. Secondary school boards may also have a student representative. Committees, trustee boards and management boards on behalf of the owners, control independent schools.
Boards establish a charter, which sets out the aims and objectives of the school. All school charters include the National Education Guidelines which contain a
statement of goals for education in New Zealand as well as curriculum and administrative requirements. When boards are developing their charter they are required
to consult with their local communities. Boards of trustees are accountable for meeting the objectives in their charter and for managing the funds they receive from the government to run the school. They are required to present an annual report to their community and the Ministry of Education.
The role of the principal is to manage the day-to-day activities of the school within policies established by the board. A principal is also responsible, in most cases,
for assessing staff performance.
The National Education Guidelines contain a statement of goals for education in New Zealand as well as curriculum and administrative requirements. The principles on which the guidelines are based include the need to ensure equality of educational opportunity and respect for the diverse ethnic and cultural heritage
of New Zealand people.
Parents and caregivers have a number of opportunities to be directly involved in the education of their children. They can stand for election to the board of trustees,
join the Parent Teacher Association, and help with the activities of the school. Parents and caregivers can expect to receive regular reports on the progress their child
is making.
Attendance
There is a legal requirement for children to be enrolled at, and regularly attend, school between the ages of 6 and 16. Parents commit an offence, and are liable for
prosecution, if they do not meet this requirement. If for any reason, a child will not be attending school on a particular day, parents need to let the school know. This is particularly important if the school operates a monitoring system to ensure students arrive at school safely. Parents and caregivers can ask to have a child released from school for special reasons, such as medical appointments. They can also ask for their children to be
excluded from religious instruction or classes in sex education.
Fees
State schools may not charge fees, but may ask parents for a voluntary donation to assist in the provision of certain services. Examination fees are charged for some secondary school examinations. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority sets these.
Dealing with problems
Any concerns about a child's schooling should first be discussed with the teacher or the school principal. If parents wish to make a complaint, they should ask the
principal to explain the school procedure for the type of complaint they wish to make. Parents are entitled to take a support person with them to any meetings to
discuss their complaint.
All children in New Zealand are entitled to free access to schooling from their 5th birthday until the end of the year in which they turn 19, or to the age of 21 for
special education students. They have the right to equality of educational opportunity in a safe learning environment. By enrolling at a school a student is agreeing to follow the policies and rules of the school.
Uniforms
Some schools require students to wear a uniform. Any school may set a uniform policy. A student who enrols at a school which has a uniform policy will be expected to wear it unless the uniform is optional.
Homework
Each school will have its own policy that outlines the amount and type of homework that students will be expected to do.
Discipline
Teaching staff in New Zealand schools are not permitted to hit, cane, slap or in any way physically punish the students in their care. Boards may approve methods of discipline such as the withdrawal of privileges, setting extra homework or keeping a student after school (detention). In the case of detention, parents should be notified beforehand.
If the offence is more serious, a student may be suspended from a school for a period of time or, if over 16, expelled (banned permanently). This would only happen
if a student was thought to be behaving in a way that set a dangerous example to other students or was a possible threat to their safety. Formal procedures must be followed if a student is to be suspended or expelled. The school or the Ministry of Education can provide information about these procedures.
