FOREWORD

INTRODUCTION

This document outlines the broad educational goals the Coalition Government wants to achieve over the term of this Parliament. As a general rule, the Government will aim to build on the successes of previous reforms wherever appropriate.

The Government intends to consult as widely as possible on its major reforms. Over the next six months, it will release a number of "Green Papers" outlining its thinking on these significant issues. These papers are designed to support consultation with the education and wider communities by informing them of the background to the proposed reform, the issues the reform is to address, and how the Government proposes to address them. The release of each Green Paper will be followed by an extensive period for consultation and submissions. This is to allow for the widest possible input into the decision-making process from throughout the education sector. Submissions will then be analysed and used to produce a "White Paper" stating firm decisions on Government policy for the particular issue.

The Government decided on this approach after careful consideration of how best to conduct its proposed policy development programme, including the nature and timing of reviews. Other possible approaches included the appointment of an external review panel or a consultation reference group chaired by the Minister of Education. Both methods have been used in the past, but they have not always proved effective in resolving issues. The Tertiary Reference Group, for example, has met a number of times and spent many months discussing the issues. It has not, however, produced any final decision on the matters under review.

Using a well-researched Green Paper to initiate consultations and submissions, followed by a White Paper to explain final Government policy, deals with this problem. It allows widespread input into the policy-making process from experts, experienced practitioners, groups and others interested in the issues. At the same time it focuses the debate to produce definitive and coherent public policy for the sector within a reasonable timeframe. Many people in the education sector, while stressing that they want to be consulted on decisions that affect them, have stressed also that they want to see final decisions reached. Similar exercises in the past have left the issues unresolved and have caused considerable frustration throughout the sector.

This document sets out the objectives, context and strategic focus for the education policy programme. It also provides details on the processes and timelines for the Green Papers and some other important discussion papers. While the document captures the major issues for now, in an area as dynamic as education, new issues arise regularly. This document does not therefore constitute an explanation of every policy initiative that the Government will take, but it covers the range of those currently being considered. Other issues and priorities will arise from time to time.

OBJECTIVES FOR EDUCATION

To secure our economic and social future, New Zealand needs an education system which:
• strives to improve educational outcomes for all students, including those at risk of failure
• enhances both personal development and employment opportunities
• contributes to a highly skilled, adaptable and motivated workforce by promoting lifelong learning
• focuses on the challenges of the 21st century
• fosters fairness, tolerance, self-reliance and informed participation in New Zealand society.

We need to build on New Zealand's record of educational achievements. This is not just a question of dollars. Our education will be improved by:

• innovative leadership throughout the system
• strong, supportive, and involved parents and communities
• an effective regulatory framework that supports and rewards positive progress
• the ability of the Government and the education sector to respond to change.

THE NEW ZEALAND EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

Over the past decade New Zealanders have increasingly recognised the importance of education to our economic and social well-being. Education is a key to progress in the international economic framework, and is essential to provide New Zealanders with the high level of skills and adaptability needed to meet the challenges of the future.

Pressures within the education sector are increasing. Factors that have contributed to this include growth of population and participation in education, the impact of global influences, and changes in society and in the nature of work.

Population and participation growth
There are major stresses on the capacity of the system to meet everyone's needs, both right now and in the future.

• A population bulge is currently passing through primary schools and will move into secondary schools about the turn of the century. Current projections are that primary rolls will peak in five years' time at nearly 511,000 students – 38,000 more than in 1997 - while secondary rolls will peak in 2007 at 311,000 students - 77,700 more than in 1997. Both rolls are then expected to reduce.
• Growth in school rolls is not uniform across the country. Auckland, parts of Canterbury, and the Bay of Plenty show strong growth, while rolls in the West Coast and Southland have declined. Pressure points are unpredictable because families move around New Zealand more and parents have a greater choice of schools.
• Participation rates in early childhood education services, senior secondary school and post-compulsory education and training (PCET) have all grown rapidly. Participation in early childhood and PCET is expected to continue to grow.

Impact of global influences
Opening New Zealand's economy to the world market has led to changes in the domestic economy. The growing Asian economies are also having a significant influence on both the global economy and our own.

• We need a creative, highly skilled, motivated and adaptable workforce that can respond innovatively and quickly to changes in the economic environment.
• Education itself has an increasingly international focus. As more overseas students come to New Zealand and more New Zealanders undertake some education overseas, there are opportunities for international economic, social and cultural alliances.
• Innovations in information technology are breaking down the barriers of time, location and space, and increasing access to learning opportunities.

Social and labour market changes
New Zealand has experienced major social and labour market changes during the past ten years, and changes will inevitably continue.

• Full employment is no longer assured. Unemployment continues to be especially high among some groups - those who are young, unskilled, Maori, or from the Pacific Islands.
• The demands of the workplace have changed. Workers increasingly need a strong base of general skills, along with the adaptability to retrain in new areas and to learn conceptual skills.
• Women are participating in the workforce in increasing numbers and in a broader range of work.
• Differentials in income are widening, particularly between skilled and unskilled workers.
• Fewer children are growing up in families with stable relationships.
• Over the next ten years, the proportions of older people, Maori, and Pacific Island people in New Zealand will increase. Internationalisation will also make our population increasingly diverse.