How schools decide to close for instruction
Learn about when schools can choose to close for instruction.
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Introduction
We have been reviewing aspects of regulation, the reasons why they are in place, and whether practice in schools is still aligned with the original intent. One of the areas we have been reviewing are decisions made to close schools for instruction.
Historically, Boards made choices about when to close their schools during term time for teacher only, show and gala days. Over time, the reasons for closing for instruction have expanded, for example, to include sport days, parent teacher interviews and orientations days.
The Education (When State Schools Must Be Open and Closed) Regulations 2024 state to close for instruction, school boards need approval from the Minister or their delegate. This means that practice and regulations are not always aligned. This is an area that we need to review and provide instruction on, but we want to give you time to adjust to any changes that are determined, ready for term 1 2025.
Historical context
Since around 1996 boards were authorised to close schools for up to 3-5 days in any year during term time for teacher only days, the local anniversary day, teacher training days or for show or gala days so long as they make up the half-days. Over time the reasons for closing for instruction have expanded, along with the frequency of these.
Regulations
The Education (When State Schools Must Be Open and Closed) Regulations 2024 require:
- schools open for a minimum number of half-days as set by the Minister (Regulation 6) and
- schools open for two half-days on every day of the term dates set by the Minister (Regulation 7).
The Regulations also specify that a board may close its school in circumstances specified by the Minister (Regulation 8(5)).
Boards must continue to meet their minimum half day requirements unless the Minister also chooses to reduce the number of half days a school must be open for under Regulation 9.
Together, these regulations mean that a school must be open for instruction on every day of term unless a closure for instruction has been approved by the Minister. This means that when a school closes for teacher-only days, orientation days, parent teacher events, and many more instances have been unlawful due to not attaining proper approval from the Minister, the circumstances schools can close have not been properly notified, and due to a lack of monitoring.
Improving practice
The Minister now seeks to realign practice and regulations by specifying the circumstances in which a school can close during term.
To allow time for the process to be established, for the remainder of 2024 the Minister will be providing approval to all school boards for when the choose to close their schools for instruction, so long as they meet both the following criteria:
- that the school community has been notified by the board of intended closure prior to start of Term 3, and
- the board can still meet the minimum number of half days required under the Regulations for the 2024 school year.
We know that the vast majority of planned closures for instruction were determined at the start of the year and that communities are well informed.
If you are concerned that any planned closures you have for the rest of the year don’t meet the above criteria, please get in touch with us with the subject line ‘closing for instruction’.
Email: school.governancepracticepathways@education.govt.nz
We will work with you to determine whether your planned closure meets the criteria, or whether we need to seek further approval.
Next steps
We will be in touch with sector groups to gather feedback on proposals for the new process once they are finalised.
Our aim is for decisions to be made and the public notified of the new process by the end of Term 3, to allow schools Term 4 to plan for when they close for instruction in 2025. Appropriate guidance will follow in November ahead of the introduction of the approvals process.
If you have questions or feedback to help guide process development, please contact your local Ministry office.
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