Foreword Minister of Education

I am proud to be the Minister responsible for one of the best education systems in the world. We are continuing to develop our world-leading education system so that it equips all New Zealanders with the knowledge, skills and values to be successful citizens in the 21st-century.

To ensure we maintain the quality of our education system we must address continuing inequities. I want the ministry to focus on the following priorities:

• The goal of the recently-announced Schools Plus initiative is that all young people participate in education or workplace training until the age of 18, requiring a transformation of secondary schooling to encourage young people to stay and complete qualifications. A number of specific initiatives will support Schools Plus by ensuring children are present and engaged in school. Strengthened district truancy services are already in place and we will also focus on reducing early school leaving exemptions.
• Information and communication technologies are some of the most effective tools to engage students and to develop key competencies and content knowledge. The e-learning action plan for schools, Enabling the 21st-century Learner, provides a framework and a number of actions to support schools and teachers to adapt to rapid technological change.
• The 20 hours’ free Early Childhood Education policy has increased participation for three- and four-year-olds, ensuring as many children as possible are provided with strong foundations for their future learning. Quality in this sector will continue to improve through implementation of the 10-year strategic plan.
• Ka Hikitia – Managing for Success gives us the opportunity to transform the system’s performance for Māori, so that Māori are able to enjoy education success as Māori. We must all take responsibility to help achieve Māori success and fulfil the potential of Māori youth.
• A highly educated and skilled Pasifika population is critical to the future of New Zealand. The Pasifika Education Plan has been revised in order to “step up” progress on the educational achievement of Pasifika learners.
• The ministry can influence the sector’s focus on sustainability through initiatives such as funding to include sustainable ideas in school design; recycling guidelines and other sustainability information for schools; and initiatives to support environment education in schools.

Hon. Chris Carter
Minister of Education