The Educational System of New Zealand. Education Around the World.

Overview & Synopsis

Education in New Zealand is the topic of this publication. The following topics are discussed: the country and the people, the basic system, preschool education, primary education, secondary education, Maori and Island education, special education, tertiary education, teacher education, continuing education, educational organizations, and recent developments. Education in New Zealand begins with optional attendance at one of two types of preschool institutions: play centers and kindergartens. Primary schooling consists of eight years. There are five levels or grades of secondary education. Pupils must remain in school until the age of 15, which means that most pupils receive at least two years of secondary education. Tertiary educational institutions include technical institutes, community colleges, teachers colleges, universities, and one university-level College of Agriculture. While all these types of institutions are considered "tertiary" from the administrative point of view, this term does not mean that a student must complete the full five years of secondary education in order to be admitted. For example, students may enroll in technical institutes and community colleges upon completing two years of secondary education. State run schools at primary and secondary levels are free. Partial financial assistance to private schools is provided by the state. Many study grants are provided to students for tertiary education. (Author/RM)