Schools Plus

Last updated
The Schools Plus logo SchoolsPlusLogo.jpg
The Schools Plus logo

Schools Plus is a controversial New Zealand education policy, proposed by Prime Minister Helen Clark. The policy originally aimed to implement a higher school-leaving age (currently 16) however was eventually changed, with its new scope being to require those under 18 to be involved in some form of educational process.

New Zealand Constitutional monarchy in Oceania

New Zealand is a sovereign island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The country geographically comprises two main landmasses—the North Island, and the South Island —and around 600 smaller islands. New Zealand is situated some 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) east of Australia across the Tasman Sea and roughly 1,000 kilometres (600 mi) south of the Pacific island areas of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga. Because of its remoteness, it was one of the last lands to be settled by humans. During its long period of isolation, New Zealand developed a distinct biodiversity of animal, fungal, and plant life. The country's varied topography and its sharp mountain peaks, such as the Southern Alps, owe much to the tectonic uplift of land and volcanic eruptions. New Zealand's capital city is Wellington, while its most populous city is Auckland.

A policy is a deliberate system of principles to guide decisions and achieve rational outcomes. A policy is a statement of intent, and is implemented as a procedure or protocol. Policies are generally adopted by a governance body within an organization. Policies can assist in both subjective and objective decision making. Policies to assist in subjective decision making usually assist senior management with decisions that must be based on the relative merits of a number of factors, and as a result are often hard to test objectively, e.g. work-life balance policy. In contrast policies to assist in objective decision making are usually operational in nature and can be objectively tested, e.g. password policy.

Prime Minister of New Zealand head of the New Zealand government

The Prime Minister of New Zealand is the head of government of New Zealand. The incumbent Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, leader of the New Zealand Labour Party, took office on 26 October 2017.

Contents

Introduction

The policy was first announced by Clark during the annual statement (state of the nation speech) to Parliament, on February 12, 2008, along with statistics that showed 30% of New Zealand teenagers were leaving school before the age of 17 and 40% of those failed to achieve the second level of the National Certificate of Educational Achievement. [1]

The National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) is the official secondary school qualification in New Zealand. It was phased in between 2002 and 2004, replacing three older secondary school qualifications. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority administers NCEA.

The policy was intensely debated throughout New Zealand and eventually reannounced by Clark on September 19, 2008. The reannouncement included numerous changes to the policy to rebut criticism that it was simply an attempt to raise the school-leaving age. [2] The full effect of Schools Plus will come into effect in 2014. [3] [4]

Proposal

The original proposal was to raise the minimum age required to leave school in New Zealand from 16 to 18 and to remove the current procedure making it possible for an exemption to be obtained by anyone aged 15. Clark asserted the implementation of the policy came in light of concerns that a large number of New Zealand teenagers were leaving school with few or no qualifications. [5]

After intense debate the proposal was changed in a reannouncement seven months later. The altered policy no longer alters the minimum leaving age but still abolishes the possibility of acquiring an exemption, [6] [7] and makes it mandatory for school-leavers younger than 18 to still be involved in further education outside of school, such as an apprenticeship or through a polytechnic. [8]

Apprenticeship System of employment

An apprenticeship is a system of training a new generation of practitioners of a trade or profession with on-the-job training and often some accompanying study. Apprenticeship also enables practitioners to gain a license to practice in a regulated profession. Most of their training is done while working for an employer who helps the apprentices learn their trade or profession, in exchange for their continued labor for an agreed period after they have achieved measurable competencies. Apprenticeships typically last 3 to 7 years. People who successfully complete an apprenticeship reach the "journeyman" or professional certification level of competence.

The first effects of the policy are set to be introduced in 2011 when an education and training age will be established for school-leavers aged 17. The full policy will come into effect in 2014 when the education and training age will be lifted to 18. [3]

The policy is expected to cost NZ$150m to cover staffing, capital and operational costs. [9] [10]

Reaction

Schools Plus has drawn significant negative reaction. The Post-Primary Teachers' Association labelled it a "draconian and simplistic response to a complex problem", citing that forcing students to remain at school does not "radically [transform them to be] enthusiastic and attentive", [10] however, while opposed to the removal of exemptions, the PPTA welcomes the program on the basis that other programs have been proven to work. [11] National Party leader John Key said the policy was an admission from Labour that their policies were failing and that many young people had jobs that they were learning from. [10] Key claims the policy is a "rehash" of plans that were announced six years ago in that they are very similar to the Mayors' Taskforce for Jobs agreement the Government formed in 2002 and that Schools Plus was "the same announcement". [8] Peter Gall, president of the Secondary Principals Association, criticised the policy as not taking into account "special cases" where leaving school was the only option and that the current crackdown on school leavers results in students remaining on the roll but not turning up to class. [12] Schools Plus was also boycotted by fifteen schools who refused to acknowledge the proposal until funding shortages were addressed. [13]

See also

Related Research Articles

Edmund Hillary New Zealand mountaineer

Sir Edmund Percival Hillary was a New Zealand mountaineer, explorer, and philanthropist. On 29 May 1953, Hillary and Nepalese Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers confirmed to have reached the summit of Mount Everest. They were part of the ninth British expedition to Everest, led by John Hunt.

The education system in New Zealand is a three-tier model which includes primary and intermediate schools, followed by secondary schools and tertiary education at universities and polytechnics. The academic year in New Zealand varies between institutions, but generally runs from early February until mid-December for primary schools, late January to late November or early December for secondary schools, and polytechnics, and from late February until mid-November for universities.

Judith Tizard New Zealand politician

Judith Ngaire Tizard is a former New Zealand politician, and a member of the Labour Party.

Lake Pupuke lake in New Zealand

Lake Pupuke is a heart-shaped freshwater lake occupying a volcanic crater between the suburbs of Takapuna and Milford on the North Shore of Auckland, New Zealand. The heart shape is a result of its formation by the linking of two circular craters - a larger one forming most of the lake and a smaller one forming the arm in the northeast. Separated from the sea by less than 200 m at one point, it has a circumference of about 4.5 km and reaches 57 m in depth. It is popular for recreational activities and the lakefront property around it.

North Harbour is a suburb of Auckland, New Zealand. It is located 12 kilometres north of the city centre, to the south of the suburb of Albany, close to the northern edge of the city.

Albany, New Zealand settlement in Auckland, New Zealand

Albany is one of the northernmost suburbs of the contiguous Auckland metropolitan area in New Zealand. It is located to the north of the Waitematā Harbour,

Albany Senior High School, Auckland

Albany Senior High School is a state coeducational senior secondary school situated in North Harbour, Auckland, New Zealand.

Epsom Girls Grammar School is a state secondary school for girls ranging from years 9 to 13 in Auckland, New Zealand. It had a roll of 2,200 as of 2012, including a number of boarders who live in nearby Epsom House, making it one of the largest schools in New Zealand.

Otahuhu College is a secondary school in Auckland, New Zealand for students years 9 to 13.

Oscar Vai To'elau Kightley, MNZM, is a Samoan-born New Zealand actor, television presenter, writer, director and comedian.

The provision of State Education in New Zealand developed from ideas about democratic and progressive education in the late nineteenth century. The creation of an education system that aimed to reduce inequalities and enable social mobility was an important goal for New Zealand's early educational reformists.

The Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand from 10 December 1999 to 19 November 2008. Labour Party leader Helen Clark negotiated a coalition with Jim Anderton, leader of the Alliance Party and later the Progressive Party, and New Zealand First. While undertaking a number of substantial reforms, it was not particularly radical compared to previous Labour governments.

Albany Junior High School is a junior high school situated in North Harbour, Auckland, New Zealand.

De La Salle College is an integrated Catholic secondary boys' school in the south of Auckland, New Zealand. Established in 1953 by the De La Salle Brothers, it continues to educate young men in the Catholic faith and Christian values. It is one of two secondary schools established by the Brothers in New Zealand, the other being Francis Douglas Memorial College in New Plymouth. Students are encouraged to develop every aspect of their person and a strong emphasis is placed on excellence in academic study, cultural pride and sporting ability. Applicants need to be willing to support the Catholic character of the College.

Philip Dorling is a writer and journalist who has also served as an Australian public servant and political adviser. He is a Visiting Fellow at the School of Humanities and Social Science, University of New South Wales at the Australian Defence Force Academy.

Helen Clark 37th Prime Minister of New Zealand

Helen Elizabeth Clark is a New Zealand politician who served as the 37th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1999 to 2008, and was the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme from 2009 to 2017. She was New Zealand's fifth-longest-serving prime minister, and the second woman to hold that office.

<i>New Zealand Womans Weekly</i>

The New Zealand Woman's Weekly is a weekly New Zealand women's magazine published by Bauer Media. As of 2011, it has a circulation of 82,040, third by paid sales after TV Guide and New Zealand Woman's Day.

2017 New Zealand general election Election on 23 September 2017

The 2017 New Zealand general election took place on Saturday 23 September 2017 to determine the membership of the 52nd New Zealand Parliament. The previous parliament was elected on 20 September 2014 and was officially dissolved on 22 August 2017. Voters elected 120 members to the House of Representatives under New Zealand's mixed-member proportional (MMP) voting system, a proportional representation system in which 71 members were elected from single-member electorates and 49 members were elected from closed party lists. Around 3.57 million people were registered to vote in the election, with 2.63 million (79.8%) turning out. Advance voting proved popular, with 1.24 million votes cast before election day, more than the previous two elections combined.

The New Zealand Labour Party leadership election, 1993 was held to determine the leadership of the New Zealand Labour Party. The leadership was won by Mount Albert MP Helen Clark, who had been Deputy Leader of the party since 1989.

Sixth Labour Government of New Zealand

The Sixth Labour Government has governed New Zealand since 26 October 2017. It is headed by Labour Party leader and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

References

  1. ↑ Clark, Helen (2008-12-02). "Helen Clark's full speech". New Zealand Herald . Retrieved 2008-09-22.
  2. ↑ Young, Audrey (2008-04-05). "Reasons to be cheerful parts 1, 2, 3". New Zealand Herald . Retrieved 2008-09-23.
  3. 1 2 NZPA (2008-09-19). "Clark sets 2014 deadline for education to age 18". New Zealand Herald . Retrieved 2008-09-22.
  4. ↑ "Summary of initiatives". Ministry of Education. Retrieved 2008-09-22.
  5. ↑ "Frequently Asked Questions - Why is Schools Plus needed?". Ministry of Education. Retrieved 2008-09-23.
  6. ↑ "Frequently Asked Questions - Why has the government decided to remove the early leaving exemption provision?". Ministry of Education. Retrieved 2008-09-23.
  7. ↑ Broun, Britton (2008-09-10). "School age exemptions face axe". Fairfax New Zealand . Retrieved 2008-09-23.
  8. 1 2 McKenzie-Minifie, Martha (2008-09-20). "Underachievers to finish school at polytechnic". New Zealand Herald . Retrieved 2008-09-23.
  9. ↑ "Frequently Asked Questions - What will Schools Plus cost?". Ministry of Education. Retrieved 2008-09-23.
  10. 1 2 3 Hartevelt, John (2008-09-20). "Govt plan to extend school age". Fairfax New Zealand . Retrieved 2008-09-23.
  11. ↑ "Phasing in of Schools Plus a positive move". Scoop. 2008-09-19. Retrieved 2008-09-23.
  12. ↑ McKenzie-Minifie, Martha (2008-09-10). "Teens face crackdown on early school exits". New Zealand Herald . Retrieved 2008-09-23.
  13. ↑ McKenzie-Minifie, Martha (2008-06-10). "Carter disappointed by schools' boycott". New Zealand Herald . Retrieved 2008-09-23.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.