Foreword: Minister of Education

This government is committed to transforming New Zealand over the next decade.

We’re doing this by focusing on what will make the biggest difference to our economy, our families and whānau and communities, and our sense of national identity.

We want a country where all New Zealanders can plan ahead and play to their strengths, where they are part of a society where knowledge is central.

For the education system the development of a knowledge society is of huge importance because it demands change in everything we do.

Today’s students need to be ready to learn, ready to change, ready to adapt and ready to contribute creatively to society. They need to be equipped to thrive in a society and an economy that is not based on old, industrial, hierarchical forms of organisation. They need to be equipped for an economy in which knowledge is the primary driver of growth.

We must move towards a learning system that ensures every student – whatever their age or background – is engaged in, and excited by, their learning, and able to achieve their potential. No matter where education takes place the basic components of a 21st century education are the same. I have been using the term ‘personalising learning’ to draw together the changes schools are already demonstrating in the way they organise teaching and learning.

Personalising learning involves thinking about learning as an active process. Students get to be informed, active participants in their own learning, they contribute to decisions about what learning can work best for them, and have a much better understanding of how they are progressing.

The Ministry of Education plays a critical role in delivering the government’s goals for New Zealand and in leading the transformation of our education system.

This Statement of Intent sets out outcomes for the ministry and a work programme which will:

• deliver education’s contribution to the government’s themes for New Zealand
• advance the transformation of our education system through personalising learning and progress key priority areas
• make significant improvements in key areas of presence, engagement and achievement across the system.

The outcomes and work programme are consistent with and reinforce the policies and performance expectations of the government.

These are exciting times for education and I am confident that through the priorities and areas of focus set out in this Statement of Intent we will transform the system to deliver the education today’s students need to succeed in tomorrow’s world.

Hon Steve Maharey
Minister of Education