13 December 2019 at 9:00 am
New Code of pastoral care for domestic tertiary students in 2020
The Minister of Education today announced details of a Code of Practice for the pastoral care of domestic tertiary students that will take effect from 1 January 2020.
The Code means there will be a consistent approach to the welfare, safety and wellbeing and pastoral care of domestic tertiary students.
This follows the Government passing new legislation (the Education (Pastoral Care) Amendment Act) and releasing details of an interim Code of Practice setting out the Government’s expectations of tertiary providers.
The interim domestic tertiary code will be in place from 1 January 2020. It sets out a general duty of pastoral care that tertiary education providers have for domestic tertiary students, and specific requirements for providers that offer student accommodation. All tertiary education providers are expected to comply with the Code.
International students already have a high level of pastoral care and support in place as set out in the Code of Practice for pastoral care of international students which includes safety, wellbeing and accommodation.
International students are also supported by the International Students Wellbeing Strategy, which ensures government agencies work together to support international students to feel safe, well and welcome in New Zealand.
In relation to student accommodation, tertiary education providers will be required to support the safety and wellbeing of students and improve the consistency of standards in student accommodation.
From next year, the interim code introduces offences and penalties for serious breaches that will apply to providers and signatories to the Code for international students, including schools.
There are no changes for international students as they continue to be well covered under the Code of Practice for pastoral care of international students.
The Government will work with the sector in 2020 to develop a permanent on-going Code of Practice for 2021 and beyond. This will provide an opportunity to consider any improvements to pastoral care for international students to be introduced for 2021.
Further information:
The Code of Practice for the pastoral care of domestic tertiary students
More information on the Ministry of Education website
The Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016 is administered by NZQA who can, with the Minister’s permission, delegate administration functions to Universities NZ.
