Teaching and Learning Policy

Policy about curriculum, teaching, learning and assessment

If you'd like more information than you can find in these links, contact us directly via the email address below.

Try the Online Learning Centre - Te Kete Ipurangi

You can find answers to many of your education policy questions on the Ministry's portal, Te Kete Ipurangi/Online Learning Centre: www.tki.org.nz.

National curriculum and schools' curricula

Each school formulates its own curriculum

An important aspect of the NZ education system is that, although the government sets policies and expectations about outcomes and student achievement, including assessment and reporting on outcomes, each school through its board of trustees is self-governing and self-managing. Our schools determine their curriculum - within and beyond the requirements of national regulation - at the local level. They plan their teaching and learning programmes to support the needs of their particular students.

Schools are legally required to provide teaching and programmes that enable students to meet national curriculum outcomes. The National Education Guidelines (NEGs) provide a context for learning programmes in state and state-integrated schools. The NEGS and National Curriculum Statements regulate the compulsory curriculum in New Zealand schools.

The government does not prescribe what should be included, but sets out its expectations in the New Zealand Curriculum Framework and the supporting National Curriculum Statements which define the learning principles and achievement aims and objectives for each of seven essential learning areas which New Zealand schools are required to implement.

Essential Learning Areas

The National Curriculum Statements for each of seven Essential Learning Areas (ELAs) - which form the basis of teaching and learning in New Zealand schools - articulate the expected progression of learning through eight levels of achievement objectives. They are available in both English and te reo Maori, to recognise that in New Zealand students can learn in either English or Maori language.

The seven Essential Learning Areas / ngä tino wähanga ako are:

• Language and Languages / Te Körero me Nga Reo
• Mathematics / Pängarau
• Science / Pütaio
• Technology / Hangarau
• Social Sciences / Tikanga-ä-iwi
• The Arts / Nga Toi
• Health and Physical Well-being / Hauora.

The essential learning areas are broad, and are compulsory only until the end of year 10 (form 4). In years 11 - 13 (forms 5 - 7) students and schools can select "subjects" to form a school curriculum in response to student and community demand.

Schools consult with their communities

Within or across learning areas, a school might choose to deliver a programme on a particular subject - civics, career planning, education for enterprise, financial management or stage production - as well as more 'traditional' subjects of physics, mathematics, history, sciences, arts etc. Some schools incorporate values education or philosophy or transitional and workplace-type learning opportunities for senior students to move into work or further training. These decisions are made by the school board of trustees, principal and staff, to best meet the needs of their particular students.

National Qualifications

There are a range of National Qualification standards by which the achievement of students in their chosen subjects may be recognised. Achievement in those standards may lead to a National Certificate in Educational Achievement (NCEA) qualification or a more specific qualification if the student wishes. See NCEA on Te Kete Ipurangi (TKI)

Policy queries

For further information on the POLICY about curriculum, teaching, learning and assessment, please email learning.policy@minedu.govt.nz or phone 04 463-8176. Your query will go to the area of the Ministry of Education responsible for the development of policy advice based on analysis of research findings, data and other evidence in relation to curriculum, teaching, learning and assessment in schooling.

For info on early childhood centre and school management issues

Please DO NOT email the policy section about early childhood centres or school management or administration issues such as school terms, enrolment regulations and schemes, resourcing, international students, stand-down and suspensions etc.

You can find information on these at Early Childhood Education and School Management and Administration or try our Frequently Asked Questions page via http://www.minedu.govt.nz/.