Managing and monitoring education agents
It is important that New Zealand provides international school learners with a quality education through an experience that meets and exceeds their expectations.
Education agents play a key role in achieving this goal. They are often the first point of contact with international learners and families.
Requirements under the Code
Under the Code, signatory schools must meet the following minimum process requirements:
- carry out and record reference checks on potential education agents
- enter into a written contract with each education agent
- terminate contracts if there is evidence suggesting poor or non-compliant education agent conduct (as defined in Clause 59 (d)(a) and (b) of the Code)
- ensure that education agents have up-to-date information relevant to their duties.
On this page
Understanding Outcome 14 of the Code
Outcome 14: managing and monitoring education agents
Signatories must effectively manage and monitor their education agents to ensure that those education agents –
(a) provide international school learners with reliable information and advice about studying, working, and living in New Zealand; and
(b) act with integrity and professionalism towards prospective international school learners; and
(c) do not breach the law or jeopardise the signatory’s compliance with this code.
The intent of this outcome
The intent of this outcome is to ensure that education agents always act with the utmost integrity and are clear about their obligations, and that you have robust management and monitoring procedures that ensure education agents provide international school learners and their families with the best possible information and support.
This means that your policies and processes must include education agent monitoring activities as well as the appropriate interim actions you will take should you discover misconduct by an education agent that is not serious enough to warrant contract termination, but nonetheless still requires management and a remedial response.
It is important to keep the intent of the outcome in mind when contracting, supporting, and monitoring your education agents.
Guidance on managing education agents
Read our guide for some recommendations for practice that may assist your school to meet or exceed Outcome 14 of the Code.
These recommendations are not requirements, but suggestions for practice gathered from a range of provider types across different sectors.
It is important to note that every school is different and there is no one size fits all.
'Good practice' may look different in each school, depending on the markets, education agents, and learners involved.
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