What happens when a closure event occurs?
No two closure events are the same. The parties involved, the actions required and how they are carried out will vary with each closure.
Below are some guidelines for actions to be taken in a closure event.
Desired outcome
If your course or organisation closes you will need to ensure that:
- students are kept well informed and understand the options that are available
- students can transfer to an alternative education organisation and continue their tuition with minimal disruption
- students who discontinue tuition can receive the appropriate refund of fees without undue delays
- risk to student welfare, including interruption of accommodation, is minimised
- disruption to other organisations involved is minimised
- New Zealand's reputation as a quality education destination is protected.
Coordination
NZQA will be involved in all closure events. In most cases it will take on a coordinating role to ensure the interests of all parties are represented.
Before the closure event
NZQA may decide to take early action to ensure the interests of students are protected. These are in addition to any regulatory action and may include:
- contacting the private training establishment to make arrangements to secure student records
- advising government agencies such as the Tertiary Education Commission, the Ministry of Education, the New Zealand Immigration Service, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise as appropriate
- contacting the student fee protection supplier and, if appropriate, requesting that funds be frozen
- advising government ministers.
From this point NZQA will initiate a defined process to manage the closure event.
Page updated: 07 August 2007