Education
Early Childhood Education (ECE)
Primary Education
Secondary Education
Tertiary Education
Bilingual and Total Immersion Education
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
Special Education
Early Childhood Education (ECE)
Participation in early childhood education (ECE) contributes to a child's later development and future learning. In their publication "The State of Education in New Zealand 2006" the Ministry of Education states that children who attend a quality early childhood education service show higher cognitive skills and more advanced social skills than those who have not attended. These benefits last through to their early years in school and beyond. Therefore the value of ECE is immense and an extremely important step in the future of our young people.
Career/Education Pathways
There are a range of ECE options available for teachers including public or private kindergartens, early childhood centres, kohanga reo, home based services and playcentres. There are over 430 of these registered in the Waikato region. Each of these services may offer part day or all day sessions.
Training and qualifications in the Waikato are available at the following service providers
School of Education, Early Childhood Teaching
Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
New Zealand Certificate in Nanny Education
Future
There are many factors influencing the need for quality ECE teachers in the Waikato.
- The Early Childhood Strategic Plan implemented by the Ministry in 2002, has the target that, by 2012, all staff in teacher-led early childhood education services must be registered or enrolled in approved early childhood teacher education programmes. Some experienced staff who do not have these qualifications, are leaving the teaching service.
- Anecdotal evidence suggests that rural areas have difficulty recruiting and retaining staff.
- With the introduction of 20 Free ECE Hours for all 3 and 4 year olds in New Zealand, ECE became more accessible to a wider range of families.
- The demand for quality ECE continues to increase, especially with many parents returning to the workforce significantly earlier than they may have done in the past - the Ministry states that the rate of increase has been greatest for children aged one, two, and three years.
TeachNZ Teacher Recruitment Scholarships may be available for those wanting to train in ECE.
Primary Education
Most children begin primary school when they turn 5, and continue, either at a full primary or later at an intermediate (year 7 and 8) until they begin secondary school in Year 9 (approximately 13 years of age). There are over 350 primary and intermediate schools in the Waikato region. There are also a number of middle schools - years 7-10.
Quality teaching is one of the single most important factors in improving outcomes for students. Great teachers have a passion for life-long learning and enthusiasm for working with young people - this is a profession where you really can make a difference.
Click here for an outline of the New Zealand Curriculum.
Career/Education Pathways
The University of Waikato School of Education has a range of qualification options for primary teaching including the Bachelor of Teaching (Primary), Bachelor of Teaching (Kakano Rua) for primary teaching including kura, bilingual and total immersion and the Graduate Diploma of Teaching for those who already have a degree.
School of Education, Primary Teaching
Te Korowai Akonga, Bachelor of Teaching
Future
The early years of schooling are crucial, therefore primary education is always going to be an area where quality teachers are in demand. In the Waikato, job opportunities are likely to be available in both city and rural areas. TeachNZ Scholarships may be available for those wishing to train as primary teachers.
Currently, there is a major focus on Literacy and Numeracy within primary education. With increasing curriculum demands being placed on teachers, there is the possibility that in the future more specialisation of subject area, along the lines of secondary teaching, may occur.
Secondary Education
A typical secondary school in New Zealand educates students from year 9 to the end of year 13, an age range of 13 to 18. There are 57 secondary schools in the Waikato region, including 3 middle schools (years 7-10).
There is an ongoing need for well-qualified, experienced secondary teachers in all subject areas - these subject areas are dictated by the New Zealand Curriculum which identifies 8 Essential Learning Areas:
- English
- Learning languages
- Mathematics and statistics
- Science
- Technology
- Social sciences
- The arts
- Health and physical education
In addition to the Essential Learning Areas, there are 5 key competencies, which children need to develop so they can adapt and function well in life, now and in the future.
- Thinking
- Using Language
- Managing Self
- Relating to others
- Participating and contributing
Underlying all these are the teaching of Values, including
- excellence
- innovation
- diversity
- respect
- equity
- community and participation
- ecological sustainability
- integrity
Thus, the New Zealand Curriculum, (applying to years 0-13), is a complex framework which attempts to develop future members of society through learning experiences which are more than just formal classroom lessons. As mentioned previously, the Ministry of Education states that the quality of teaching is one of the single most important factors in improving outcomes for students.
Career/Education Pathways
At The University of Waikato, there are a number of options available for those wishing to undertake secondary school teacher training.
Bachelor of Teaching - Conjoint Degree (Secondary) - a four year programme in which two qualifications are completed - a Bachelor of Teaching and a subject Bachelor Degree (Bachelor of Arts, Science, Sport and Leisure Studies or Social Studies).
Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary) - an intensive one year programme for those who already have a degree.
Te RÅpÅ« Tohu Paerua / MÄori Medium Teaching
Technology Teaching Qualifications - for teachers, trades-qualified people and interested people.
GradDipT/GradDip in Engineering (Technology Teaching) - two years.
GradDipT/GradDip in Hospitality Management (Technology Teaching) - two years.
Bachelor of Education (Technology) - duration depends on previous qualifications.
Future
The Ministry of Education states that knowledge gained at secondary level contributes to students' likelihood of successful participation in tertiary education and/or future employment. Achievement at secondary level contributes to a student's wellbeing and his or her ability to participate as responsible and informed members of today's knowledge-based society.
TeachNZ Scholarships are targeted at areas of priority for teacher supply to meet increasing demand for teachers in certain areas over the next ten years. Currently these areas within secondary education are identified as teachers of chemistry, technology, mathematics, physics and MÄori language, among others.
Students who leave school early, many with few or no formal qualifications, are less likely to participate in further training and/or employment and are more likely to have lower incomes or be dependent on income support. Therefore, it is imperative to the development of our future society, that quality teachers are trained and continually entering our secondary education system.
Tertiary Education
Career/Education Pathways
Graduate Diploma (Adult Education and Training)
for bachelor degree graduates interested in training adults. It aims to develop skills, knowledge and understanding of learning and teaching practices in this area. Adult Education and Training programmes equip graduates with the knowledge to work alongside adults in New Zealand tertiary institutions (polytechnics, private training establishments, wananga and universities).
Certificate in Adult Tertiary Education This qualification could lead to employment as a teacher or tutor in an adult education environment, staff trainer or technical trainer.
Bilingual and Total Immersion Education
The idea of a MÄori immersion curriculum has grown and been nurtured through kohanga reo. It is now established for school-age MÄori children in kura kaupapa MÄori (MÄori language immersion) schools and in bilingual units and classes.
Te Whäriki, the early childhood curriculum provides an identifiable MÄori curriculum that protects MÄori language and tikanga, MÄori pedagogy, and the transmitting of MÄori knowledge, skills and attitude through using MÄori language.
Career/Education Pathways
Bachelor of Teaching - Early Childhood (Ki Taiao)
Bachelor of Teaching - Primary (Kakano Rua)
Bachelor of Teaching - Conjoint Degree, Secondary - second qualification could be Te Reo Maori.
Te RÅpÅ« Tohu Paerua / MÄori Medium Teaching - for qualified teachers.
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
Teachers of English to speakers of other languages (ESOL teachers) teach people from non-English speaking backgrounds how to speak, read and write in English. Tasks involved in this career might include, among others:
- teaching grammar and vocabulary
- helping students with speaking and pronunciation
- helping students develop reading and writing skills
- teaching skills needed for coping in a new community
- assisting students with real-life language problems
Career/Education Pathways
Graduate Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Future
With New Zealand's growth in multi-culturalism, children from non-english speaking backgrounds will be a continuing need for our teachers to address, see Special Education.
Special Education
The Ministry of Education outlines Special education as being the provision of extra help, adapted programmes, learning environments, or specialised equipment or materials to support children and young people with their learning and help them participate in education.
Many children and young people have special education needs. This can include learners with learning difficulties, communication, emotional or behaviour difficulties, or intellectual, sensory or physical impairments.
Career/Education Pathways
Special education is about providing extra help, adapted programmes, learning environments, or specialised equipment or materials to support children and young people with their learning. People working in special education have challenging yet rewarding careers.
Most educators working with children with special needs will have completed some type of teacher training (see ECE, Primary or Secondary information above). Opportunities for Professional development are ongoing in New Zealand schools, and within the education sector in general.
For more information about working in special education, click here.
Department of Human Development and Counselling
Ministry of Education Special Education and Scholarship Awards.
