eQuate June 2021

In this issue, RoVe consultation, changes to codes, assuring consistency workshops, what's coming up this quarter and more

RoVE consultation on design of vocational qualifications

The NZQA RoVE team has had a busy month hosting multiple online information sessions, focused on the implications of proposals to simplify New Zealand qualifications and other credentials.

These sessions have been targeted at a range of audiences, with some dedicated sessions focusing on specific matters for iwi and Māori, Pacific people and disability communities. We have received strong interest in these sessions and there are still three to go. If you are interested in attending, you can sign:

Sign up on the consultation platform (external link).

Our team have also met face to face with a variety of other stakeholders and interested parties.

To date, NZQA has received over 200 online submissions via the consultation platform. The platform also contains explanatory videos, our online presentation and Q&As (based on questions raised in the information sessions).

Submissions for the consultation close at 6pm on 16 June 2021. We look forward to receiving your feedback:

https://vqconsult.nzqa.govt.nz/ (external link).

The Codes are changing

The Ministry of Education has recently closed its consultation on a new Code to improve the wellbeing and safety of all tertiary and international ākonga.

The consultation sought feedback on a proposal to combine the current international and the domestic Codes with separate parts on:

  • student accommodation
  • tertiary providers enrolling international students
  • schools enrolling international students (this part restates existing requirements for schools).

For schools enrolling international students, no new requirements have been proposed in the Code. Requirements that are specific to schools will be retained and set separately from those for tertiary providers. There are no changes to the dispute resolution scheme for international learners, and the iStudent Complaints scheme will continue.

Once the Ministry of Education has released the outcome of the consultation, and issued the new Code (expected around July/August), we will be in touch with international Code signatories and tertiary education providers to provide guidance on how to implement any new requirements.

Self-review attestation 2021

Schools

The existing international Code requirements will be retained for schools in the new Code effective from 2022. International Code self-review and attestation will continue as usual for schools in 2021.

The Code self-review attestation due date for schools is 1 December 2021. We will provide you with information about how to attest in due course.

Tertiary providers

Code requirements are changing for tertiary providers. We will confirm Code quality assurance requirements and timeframes, including for self-review, once the Ministry of Education has released the outcome of the Code consultation (due July/August). 

Before confirming, we will seek your feedback on proposed requirements and timeframes and ensure you have reasonable notice ahead of any self-review, attestation or other quality assurance requirements.

In the meantime, please continue with your ongoing internal processes of self-review, ensuring your compliance with current requirements.

We also recommend planning for a period of reviewing and updating your pastoral care processes in the second half of this year, to ensure they align with any new Code requirements due to be issued around July/August.

Any changes to the Codes will come into effect from January 2022.

Know the Code

Student leaders and NZQA have released a series of videos for students, by students to promote a better understanding of what they can expect for their educational wellbeing and safety.

The videos cover information about accommodation, mental health, disability and what international students can expect from agents and providers when coming to New Zealand.

We encourage you to share these videos with students, staff and other key stakeholders:

Know the Code (external link).

We are grateful for the support from the Disabled Students’ Association, National Islamic Youth Association, New Zealand Chinese Students’ Association, New Zealand International Students’ Association, New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations, Tauira Pasifika and Te Mana Ākonga.

Assuring Consistency workshops

2021-2022 Assuring consistency schedule (external link) 

Please check the schedule on the NZQA website for the upcoming Assuring Consistency review dates.

It is important you have information about graduates from across all the reporting years. To achieve this you can look at ways to gather this information after each cohort, rather than three months out from the review meeting.

This will give time to collate and analyse the data to provide conclusions about whether your programme is producing graduates with the skills aligned with the graduate profile outcomes.

If you need any assistance in understanding evidence required for Assuring Consistency reviews, please contact us at: 

Consistency@nzqa.govt.nz

Register for a consistency review workshop (external link)

Submitting applications to NZQA for delivery in 2022

To help with your planning and processes for internal quality assurance, below are the cut-off dates for submitting applications for programmes of study you want to deliver in 2022.

Level 7 Diplomas and degrees

You can submit degree applications to NZQA at any time.

If you want new degree approvals and/or accreditations or Type 2 changes to existing degrees ready for Semester One of 2022, please submit the application to NZQA before 30 July 2021.

Programmes of study at levels 1-6

You can submit applications at any time.

Providers seeking new approvals and/or accreditations for programmes of study at levels 1-6, or Type 2 changes to existing level 1-6 programmes ready for Semester One of 2022, please submit the application to NZQA before 1 October 2021.

Please call or email your Approvals and Accreditations contact if you require further information.

Notice of consultation: New Zealand Scholarship Subject List Review 2021

We are inviting your organisation’s feedback on the biennial review of the New Zealand Scholarship (Scholarship) Subject List. 

Go to the New Zealand Scholarship Subject List Review 2021 (external link) 

Send feedback by Friday 18 June 2021:

Proposals and feedback (external link)

For any queries, email us:

assessmentfeedback@nzqa.govt.nz

QAD on the web

The form for statutory declarations as a fit and proper person and of conflicts of interest has been updated to reflect the definition of governing member under section 10 of the Education and Training Act 2020.

Go to the Education and Training Act 2020 (external link)

Statutory declarations

NZQA processes

Permanent delivery sites – what to apply for

If you are a Category 1 or 2 TEO intending to deliver a programme at levels 1-6 or a Level 7 Diploma, please complete the site approval form: 

Permanent Delivery Site Approval Form (external link)

If you are a Category 1 or 2 TEO intending to deliver a degree (levels 7-10) at a new delivery site, please submit a Type 2 change application to NZQA for that degree programme.

The NZQA website has information about approving delivery sites:

Approval of delivery sites (external link)

If you have any questions about programme applications, please email us: 

approval_accreditation@nzqa.govt.nz.

Keeping your registration status current

PTEs must deliver at least one approved programme or training scheme within a 12-month period to avoid their registration lapsing.

If you anticipate not providing a programme or training scheme for 12 months or more, you can apply for an extension of time to stop your registration lapsing.

Apply for this extension before the 12 months of non-usage ends by emailing:

qaadmin@nzqa.govt.nz.

For more information about PTE registration see:

Guidelines for applying for registration as a private training establishment (external link)

Guidelines for maintaining registration as a private training establishment (external link)

Coming up this quarter

Send NZQA your... Who? When?
Annual Registration Fee Return Form (external link) All registered PTEs and wānanga 30 June 2021
Annual statutory declaration (external link)
Different forms for PTEs and TEIs
TEOs with a financial year-end of 31 March 2021 31 August 2021
Independent Assurance Practitioner's Review Report (external link) or
Auditor's Report (external link)
PTEs with a financial year-end of 31 March 2021 31 August 2021
Audit of Student Fee Protection arrangements (external link) PTEs with a financial year-end of 31 March 2021
TEOs not exempt (external link)
31 August 2021
Quarterly student fee protection attestation (external link)
Quarter ending 31 May 2021
TEOs not exempt (external link):
- static trusts
- bank bond trusts
Not required for standard trusts
To trustee by 7 September 2021
To NZQA by 14 September 2021
Fit and Proper Person and Conflict of Interest declarations (external link)
Submit a new or amended declaration:
- before any new governing member starts
- if an existing governing member has a new or changed conflict of interest
- if an existing governing member has a change in their fit and proper person status
For the definition of governing member see:
Section 10 of the Education and Training Act 2020 (external link)
PTEs only:
- applying for registration
- registered PTEs
As needed

Forwarding information and queries

Forward the above documents and any queries to:

qaadmin@nzqa.govt.nz

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