NZQA rules work programme 2011-2012
Overview
NZQA has begun work on developing rules under the new section 253 of the Education Act 1989 (the Act). This work is required to be completed by the end of 2012.
In some cases, the process of developing rules involves converting current requirements, policies and criteria into rules. In other cases, NZQA is proposing new activities. In these situations, NZQA will consult with the education sector on proposed rules.
All rules need to be approved by the NZQA Board and the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment.
NZQA has prioritised the work associated with developing the various sets of rules.
Rules work completed
The rules work completed so far relates to:
- Listing standards on the Directory of Assessment Standards
- Consent to assess against standards on the Directory of Assessment Standards
- The PTE Annual Registration Fee
- PTE attendance and assessment records
Rules work in progress in 2012
NZQA proposes to complete next the rules associated with:
- Student fee protection
- Training schemes
- Listing qualifications on the NZQF
The table below provides an overview of the rules being developed during 2012 and the approximate time spans for developmental work, consultation periods and completion of each workstream.
NZQA will communicate regularly with the education sector and sector organisations on the rules work programme over 2012.
| Rules groups/workstreams | Development period 2012 |
|---|---|
| Programmes of training (A) and workplace training (B)* | February-May (A) August-December (B) |
| Programme approval and accreditation (including degree approval, accreditation and monitoring, and relevant incentives and sanctions) | February-October |
| Cross-crediting/recognition of prior learning | March-December |
| External evaluation and review (integrating consequences of non-compliance, and relevant incentives and sanctions) | March-August |
| Approval of standard-setting bodies* | August-December |
| PTE initial registration, ongoing registration and changes to registration (including relevant incentives and sanctions, and consequences of non-compliance) | August-December |
* The requirements for workplace training and approval of standard-setting bodies' workstreams will be determined by the outcomes of the Industrial Training Review being conducted by the Ministry of Education.
Questions and answers
Why are these changes occurring?
- Amendments to the Education Act 1989 were enacted on 29 August 2011
- The amendments include a new NZQA power to make rules
What are rules?
- Rules are 'delegated legislation' similar to legal regulations
- Rules are used by government agencies including the Ministry of Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority
Why are rules useful?
- Rules provide detail that would clutter Acts of Parliament and are flexible enough to allow changes to be made in line with current practice
- Rules make a clear distinction between compliance and NZQA guidance
Will I be notified about the rules that impact on me?
Yes. NZQA will be consulting regularly and as appropriate with sector organisations and the secondary and tertiary education sectors. NZQA will also discuss progress with the rules programme at its meetings with the PTE Forum, the ITP Advisory Group and the Leaders Forum.
Will I be consulted?
Yes. NZQA will consult with the sector on each set of proposed rules. NZQA aims to consult on each of the sets of proposed rules over a period of about six weeks.
What is the process for making NZQA rules?
- NZQA will develop proposed rules for each workstream
- NZQA will consult with sector organisations and the sector at large on each proposed set of rules
- NZQA will amend the proposed rules as appropriate in light of consultation
- Rules will be signed into law through approval by the NZQA Board and the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment
Queries
Queries about the NZQA rules programme 2011-12 can be directed to: qaadmin@nzqa.govt.nz