When students from other countries come to study in New Zealand,
it is important that those students are well informed, safe, and properly cared
for.
New Zealand educational providers have an important
responsibility for international students' welfare.
This document provides an overview of the "Code of Practice for
the Pastoral Care of International Students" (the Code), and provides a
procedure that students can follow if they have concerns about their treatment
by a New Zealand educational provider or agent of a provider.
What is the Code?
The Code is a document which provides a framework for service
delivery by educational providers and their agents to international students.
The Code sets out the minimum standards of advice and care that are expected of
educational providers with respect to international students. The Code applies
to pastoral care and provision of information only, and not to academic
standards.
When does the Code apply?
The Code commences on the 31st of March 2002. Educational
providers then have six months to sign the Code. Between the 31st March and the
30th of September 2002 you will need to check with the Ministry of Education if
your provider is a signatory to the Code.
Who does the Code apply to?
The Code applies to all education providers in New Zealand with
students enrolled on international study permits. The Code is mandatory to these
providers and must be signed by them.
What is an 'International Student'?
An "international student" is a foreign student studying in New
Zealand on a student permit from the New Zealand Immigration Service.
How can I get a copy of the Code?
You can request a copy of the Code from your New Zealand
educational provider. The Code is also available online
here.
How do I know if an educational provider has signed the Code?
The New Zealand Ministry of Education will maintain a register
of all signatories to the Code. This list will be available from
www.minedu.nz/goto/international. If the educational provider
that you are seeking to enrol with is not a signatory to the Code, you will not
be granted a permit from the New Zealand Immigration Service and you will not be
able to study at that institution.
What do I do if something goes wrong?
If you have concerns about your treatment by your educational
provider or by an agent of the provider, the first thing you must do is contact
the principal, the international student director, or another person who has
been identified to you as someone that you can approach about complaints at your
institution. The Code requires all institutions to have fair and equitable
internal grievance procedures for students and you need to go through these
internal processes before you can take the complaint any further.
If your concerns are not resolved by the internal grievance
procedures, you can contact the international Education Appeal Authority (IEAA).
A Summary of the Code of Pastoral Care of International
Students.
The Code sets standards for educational providers to ensure
that:
- High professional standards are maintained.
- The recruitment of international students is undertaken in an ethical and
responsible manner
- Information supplied to international students is comprehensive, accurate,
and up-to-date.
- Students are provided with information prior to entering into any
commitments.
- Contractual dealings with international students are conducted in an ethical
and responsible manner.
- The particular needs of international students are recognised.
- International students under the age of 18 are in safe accommodation.
- All providers have fair and equitable internal procedures for the resolution
of international student grievances.
Full details of what is covered can be found in the Code itself.
The Code also establishes the IEAA and the Review Panel to
receive and adjudicate on student complaints.
What will the IEAA do?
The purpose of the IEAA is to adjudicate on complaints from
international students. The IEAA will investigate complaints and determined
there has been a breach of the Code. The IEAA has the power to impose sanctions
on educational providers who have committed a breach of the Code that is not a
serious breach. These sanctions include an order for restitution, publication of
the breach, and / or requiring that remedial action be undertaken.
The IEAA will refer complaints that are not about pastoral care
to another regulatory body if appropriate.
The educational provider will be given a reasonable time to
remedy the breach. If the breach is not remedied within that time, the IEAA may
refer the complaint to the Review Panel.
The IEAA can determine if it considers that a breach of the Code
is a serious breach. If the breach is a serious breach, the IEAA will refer the
complaint to the Review Panel.
What can the Review Panel do?
The Review Panel can remove or suspend an educational provider
as a signatory to the Code, meaning that the provider would be prevented from
taking any more international students. Only the IEAA can refer complaints to
the Review Panel.
You can write to the IEAA at:
The International Education Appeal Authority,
C/- Ministry of
Education
P O Box 1666
WELLINGTON
NEW ZEALAND
or e-mail
info.ieaa@minedu.govt.nz