New Zealand Education system and Political System?

Clifford Riggleman: EDUCATION SYSTEM.In New Zealand we have early childhood centers, primary schools, secondary schools/college and tertiary.Early childhood isn't compulsory, it can include creche, early childhood centers, preschool, day care and parenting groups. Usually you go from aged 3-5. An early childhood center is considered the most academic. The government does provide 20 hours a week free, but apart from this, the cost is entirely with the parents. Primary school is compulsory. Children usually start aged 5, but you may wait until their 6th birthday. In New Zealand we use 'years' rather than grades. In your first year you're a year 1. Most primary schools go from year 1-6 (5-11). Some schools also include year 7 and 8 in their primary school. Some students will go to a different school called an intermediate school for those two years (12-13). Another option is going to a school called a college. These include year 7 and 8 as part of secondary school.Secondary ! school is the next stage. It's compulsory to stay at school until your 16th birthday. If you go to college you usually start at year 7 and go right through to year 13 (11-18). If you go to high school, you go from year 9-13 (13-18). Most secondary school students complete NCEA (national certificate of educational achievement). Students start this in year 11 and complete level 1, year 12 level 2 and year 13 level 3. In a nutshell, each level requires you to achieve 80 credits to pass each level. You achieve credits by completing assignments, speeches, posters and end of year exams, these are called 'standards'. You're graded either at 'not achieved' 'achieved' 'merit' and 'excellence'. For example you might complete a speech in English worth 4 credits at merit. The next person may complete the speech and get excellence. But an excellence doesn't get you any more credits than an achieved or merit. To achieve entry into university, you must achieve enough math, English and ot! her credits from 'approved' (generally more academic) subjects! . There are also schools called 'area schools'. These are usually in rural areas and go right from year 1-13 (5-18). Schooling up to age 18 is free, unless you chose to go to a private school.The next stage, if you wish to continue, is tertiary study. The two main options are universities or polytechnics. Universities offer higher qualifications like bachelor degrees, masters and PhDs. Polytechs do offer some bachelor degrees (usually nursing and design), but mainly certificates and diplomas. They usually offer more vocational training. University and polytechs are not free, but the fees are subsidized for NZ citizens and residences. For example, a first year Psychology paper at Victoria University will cost an international student $2,950 NZD, compared to $681 NZD for domestic students. The government also provides an interest free loan to all students. Some students, are also entitled to an allowance. This is based on parental income and is a weekly payment that you do no! t have to pay back. I believe the most you can get is $167 NZD a week.POLITICAL SYSTEM.This is not an area I am an expert on, I'll try help. New Zealand is a member of the Commonwealth (like Australia and Canada), but we have our own government who makes decisions for our country. Some people believe we shouldn't be part of the Commonwealth because it doesn't really add much. We have a Governor General who is sort of the Queens representative and I assume the government is accountable to the Queen if it came to that.I hope that's helpful!.......Show more

Scot Rotruck: POLITICAL SYSTEM: New Zealand has a long-established democracy and a very stable political environment.Political systemElections are held every 3 years in a mixed member proportional representation (MMP) system. 120 MPs represent a particular geographical area (their electorate).Parliament buildings are in Wellington. Members of the public may walk in the grounds and tour the buildings. There is a public! gallery from which you can observe the debates, which are also broadca! st on the radio.EDUCATION SYSTEM in New ZealandEducation in New Zealand follows the three-tier model which includes primary schools, followed by secondary schools (high schools) and tertiary education at universities and/or polytechs.The Programme for International Student Assessment ranks New Zealand's education as the 7th best in the world.[1] The Education Index, published with the UN's Human Development Index in 2008, based on data from 2006, lists New Zealand as 0.993, amongst the highest in the world, tied for first with Denmark, Finland and Australia.[2]Education is free and compulsory between the ages of 6 and 16, although in very special cases an exemption can be gained after applying to the MOE. These may be granted to students who are close to 16, have been experiencing some ongoing difficulty at school and have a job already lined up. Families wishing to home educate their children can apply for exemption. To get an exemption from enrollment at a registered scho! ol, they must satisfy the Secretary of Education that their child will be taught "as regularly and as well as in a registered school".[3]Children almost always start school on their 5th birthday, or the first School Day after it. Post-compulsory education is regulated within the New Zealand National Qualifications Framework, a unified system of national qualifications in schools, vocational education and training.The academic year in New Zealand varies between institutions, but generally runs from late January until mid-December for primary and secondary schools and polytechnics, and from late February until mid-November for universities....Show more

Bettye Arre: Since you're an American, I'm going to try my hardest to make it easy for you to understand. :)Education. (we use years, instead of grades.)Age:0-2 - Usually the child will stay at home, or go to a daycare while the parents are at work. Some are free, others are not.Age:3-4 - Usually you go to Kindegarden at ! this age. Most places are free.Age:5-10(or 11 if you started as a year ! 0) - This is years 0-6. Kids born before May 12th or something like that start as a year 1, the rest are year 1. This is what we call Primary School age.Age"10-11/11-12 - Intermediate school (which is sometimes joined on to the Primary School, mostly in the north island) This over-prepares us for High School. Also free, unless you pay the donation which is around $90.Age:12/13-17/18 - High School or College, yes we call High School, College. (mostly in North Island.) The first 2 years is basically practice for our NCEA years (year 11-13) Which is when we do Level 1, 2, and 3 exams.Then we have University, Polytechnic or Correspondence (which you can also do from Primary-High School) Polytech is for anyone from 16++, here you can legally leave school (and home) at 16. University is super expensive, but polytech is a little cheaper just only has certificates not big diplomas and such. (Depends on your course though)...Show more

Christopher Calcano: New Zealand Political! System

Charissa Riley: We are a democratic country and yes we have a parliament. Free? I wished!Education: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_New_Zeal...Political: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_New_Zeala...

Russel Gajate: I went to school in new Zealand, but what the hell is college?U must be a long way from new Zealand to think there is a education system there like usa's