Foreword Minister of Education

As Minister of Education and for Tertiary Education I am privileged to oversee the complete education system. I am aware how critical it is in determining education, economic and social outcomes for all New Zealanders.

The Government wants to raise education standards at all levels to ensure equality of opportunity for all our young people, and to develop a skilled workforce. In order to achieve this we have developed six areas of priority to ensure a clear focus on raising standards across the education system.

The importance of high quality early childhood education services to provide a foundation for success at school is well recognised and backed by research. This means extra attention must be given to geographic and demographic areas where participation rates are low and inconsistent, particularly for Māori and Pasifika children.

Every child needs to achieve literacy and numeracy levels that enable their success. At primary, middle and intermediate school levels the Government is committed to setting clear expectations of what students should be able to achieve in literacy and numeracy, effective assessment, and upfront reporting to parents in plain language. These are all part of our flagship National Standards policy.

We want to ensure that all students stay engaged in learning so that they are able to leave secondary school ready for work, training or further study. This means raising levels of achievement, but it also means helping to provide a wider range of opportunities for students to access trades and industry-based education.

School is still the best place for young people to get their education, but we recognise that traditional study may not necessarily be relevant for all students. This is why we will work with schools, tertiary organisations, wananga and industry training organisations to provide more flexibility for students to learn beyond the school gates. Our Trades Academies and Trades in Schools policies will ensure that there are clear pathways to skills training and qualifications, and the Youth Guarantee will help those young people aged 16 and 17 who have left school and not continued with their education to gain key skills. This Government wants every young person to have the skills and qualifications to contribute to their and New Zealand’s future.

The Government wants to see all children and young people achieve in education. We need to move away from the concept of failure of particular groups of learners within the system and work on how the system can maximise success for every student. Ka Hikitia – Managing for Success is the plan for change to see the system step up its performance for Māori. This is an urgent issue for New Zealand. I am seeking a professional response from principals, teachers, boards of trustees, specialists and government so that Māori enjoy education success as Māori.

Our Pasifika students deserve nothing less than a focus on improving their achievements and a step-up from the system to ensure their success. The Pasifika Education Plan will ensure our young students achieve the skills and qualifications they need, and that New Zealand needs them to have, to live full and rewarding lives.

The Government is committed to ensuring that every child has the opportunity of an excellent education, and that students with disabilities or special education needs have the opportunity to fully reach their potential. This commitment is the responsibility of all those involved in the education sector.

Excellent schools are created by excellent teachers and principals. I expect the Ministry of Education to run a high-trust system that frees schools from bureaucracy and backs boards of trustees, principals and teachers to make good decisions about how best to improve the education provided for our children and young people. I expect the Ministry to improve the efficiency of its operations while strengthening support for schools. It must be capable, and responsive to deliver education priorities.

Access to high-quality tertiary education enriches people’s lives and increases their employment prospects. It also strengthens our economy by helping to build New Zealand’s productive skills base. We must have a tertiary education system that is relevant and efficient in meeting the needs of students and the labour market, and is dynamic and responsive, ensuring that students have opportunities to gain world-class skills and knowledge.

We need to find a better balance between tertiary education providers being innovative and responding to the needs of the economy and communities, with a simple and clear funding system that assures Government of the value of its investment.

This Statement of Intent describes how the Ministry of Education will deliver on the Government’s education priority outcomes in the coming three to five years.

Hon Anne Tolley
Minister of Education
Minister for Tertiary Education

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Ministerial Statement of Responsibility

I am satisfied that the information on future operating intentions provided by my department in this Statement of Intent and the Information Supporting the Estimates is in accordance with sections 38, 40 and 41 of the Public Finance Act 1989 and is consistent with the policies and performance expectations of the Government.

Hon Anne Tolley
Responsible Minister for Ministry of Education