COVID-19: Information for tertiary

29 Jan 2020

The Ministry of Health is monitoring the situation with regards to the new Coronavirus (COVID-19, formerly known as 2019-nCoV). The health of students and staff is a priority.

We ask that students, care-givers and education providers follow the Ministry of Education’s advice and guidance, which is being updated regularly.

In addition to this information, signatories to the Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016 (the Code) are reminded they have an important responsibility to ensure that students are well informed, safe and properly cared for. This includes ensuring that international students have the appropriate insurance in place.

It is important for education providers to ensure their pandemic plans are up to date, and the Ministry of Education has information available which can be customised to meet your specific needs.

We also have additional information (PDF, 417KB) for schools with homestay families.

Students looking for information that their tertiary education provider is unable to help with can call the Tertiary Education Commission on 0800 123 797.

Education providers can contact NZQA’s Code team on 0800 697 296 if they have any concerns about the pastoral care of your students.

NZQA is enabling non-university tertiary education providers to temporarily support students who are affected by COVID-19 travel restrictions through online/blended learning options. If you have a programme that is approved for online/blended delivery, please contact NZQA on 0800 697 296 for more information. This temporary approval does not apply to training schemes.

COVID-19 Mailbox

NZQA understand that tertiary education providers have questions about the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on their delivery to students.

Questions and enquiries relating to COVID-19 and NZQA quality assurance can be directed to Covid19.enquiries@nzqa.govt.nz

How could providers continue to deliver with self-isolating students and/or staff?

To continue delivery to students who have been advised to self-isolate by Healthline, NZQA encourages tertiary education providers to consider alternative delivery arrangements. Alternative delivery may also be considered where a number of staff have been advised to self-isolate.

Providers could consider rescheduling course start and end dates, or holidays. For theory components of programmes and training schemes, providers could consider online delivery via email, or an online platform like Blackboard or Moodle if that is available.

If tertiary education providers wish to offer alternative delivery arrangements on a temporary basis, please email Covid19.enquiries@nzqa.govt.nz. An Approvals and Accreditation relationship manager will call you to discuss your plans, including learner support, assessment processes, and practical course requirements.

There is a simple template with questions NZQA will ask.  NZQA is prioritising this process.

Other useful links:

• The Ministry of Health has up to date health information at Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance – Ministry of Health website, including guidance on staying home ("self-isolation") for people returning to New Zealand from mainland China.
• The Ministry of Education is regularly updating its advice for tertiary students and institutions.
• Visit the SafeTravel website for updates on travel advice and restrictions.