Education in New Zealand usually begins at the age of five. Schooling is compulsory for all children from the ages of 6-16. Most parents choose to place their children in the state schools, which are funded by government, where they learn core subjects during primary school as well as an additional language. Primary school lasts from ages five to twelve. Generally, there are many primary schools widespread across the country and so plenty of students can bike or walk the distance to school. However, this changes during secondary school since these schools are usually much larger and thus serve a wider area. Students attending secondary school may use bus or possibly train to commute. Between primary and secondary school there are intermediate schools. Although these schools are not available everywhere in New Zealand, they take in students from primary school from the ages of 11-12 and help transition the students to secondary school.
Since schooling is compulsory by law, parents must call schools if their child is absent from class. Also, it is illegal to leave your child unattended if he/she is below the age of fourteen. Because of this, parents can’t leave their children at school before or after hours and have to have them at care centers. Secondary education lasts from ages 13-18 and are based around the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA). The NCEA has three levels which students can choose to achieve from a basic to higher level of completion. Discipline in the school system is limited to detention or extra school work because it is illegal for teachers or adults in general to use force to discipline a child. New Zealand offers universities all around the country and thus students have the choice to study just about anywhere. The universities are all public and funded in part by the government. In addition, they are recognized globally as top ranking schools.
Sources
https://www.newzealandnow.govt.nz/living-in-nz/education/school-system
http://www.studyinnewzealand.com/learn/higher-education
http://studyinnewzealand.com/learn/pathways?utm_source=newzealandnow.govt.nz
http://www.minedu.govt.nz/NZEducation/EducationPolicies/Schools.aspx
http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/qualifications/ncea/understanding-ncea/how-ncea-works/ncea-levels-and-certificates/
Since schooling is compulsory by law, parents must call schools if their child is absent from class. Also, it is illegal to leave your child unattended if he/she is below the age of fourteen. Because of this, parents can’t leave their children at school before or after hours and have to have them at care centers. Secondary education lasts from ages 13-18 and are based around the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA). The NCEA has three levels which students can choose to achieve from a basic to higher level of completion. Discipline in the school system is limited to detention or extra school work because it is illegal for teachers or adults in general to use force to discipline a child. New Zealand offers universities all around the country and thus students have the choice to study just about anywhere. The universities are all public and funded in part by the government. In addition, they are recognized globally as top ranking schools.
Sources
https://www.newzealandnow.govt.nz/living-in-nz/education/school-system
http://www.studyinnewzealand.com/learn/higher-education
http://studyinnewzealand.com/learn/pathways?utm_source=newzealandnow.govt.nz
http://www.minedu.govt.nz/NZEducation/EducationPolicies/Schools.aspx
http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/qualifications/ncea/understanding-ncea/how-ncea-works/ncea-levels-and-certificates/