Education and Training Bill (no2) has first reading

The Education and Training Amendment Bill (No 2) had its first reading today (14 December 2021).

An addition to the Bill proposes that new National and Regional Statements would be introduced for early learning network management, including for home-based services. The change is to help create a more sustainable, higher quality, and more diverse network of new early learning services.

The Ministry of Education will consult with providers, and others, on the priorities for the National and Regional Statements, and on policy for the new regulations, in early 2022. It is proposed that the Statements take effect from 1 August 2022.

The Statements would show where, and what type of, early learning services are needed, nationally and regionally. They will identify undersupply to support service growth, and the types of services that may be required for parents, such as Māori immersion, or Pacific language nests, for their children. The new proposals also improve the quality of early learning services by introducing new requirements around capability and strengthening the fit and proper test.

Providers setting up new services will benefit through access to information on supply and forecast growth, demand, and need. Parents and learners will benefit from the planning and establishment of services that better match their needs and those of their communities.

More information on the new proposed early learning network and regulatory changes(external link)

 The Bill also:

  • requires all non-teaching and unregistered employees in early learning, or schooling to be Police vetted before beginning employment. Previously, employers only needed to apply for these workers to be vetted within two weeks of starting.
  • streamlines the Teachers Council disciplinary regime by allowing more disputes to be resolved quicker at a lower level
  • strengthens the wellbeing and safety code for domestic tertiary and international learners, and the domestic tertiary and international student dispute resolution scheme, to address learner complaints
  • simplifies qualifications and credentials, to better meet the needs of employers and students.

More information on the Bill’s other provisions(external link)

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