New Zealand’s Code of Practice benefits Filipino

MANILA, Philippines – New Zealand’s new Code of Practice in the education sector is set to bring pastoral care benefits to the rising number of Filipino international students.

The Code of Practice, which features a resolution scheme to provide faster handling of student’s disputes between contracts and financial disagreements, along with other benefits, is set to take effect from July 1.

Last year New Zealand saw a 71 percent increase in Filipino students coming to New Zealand to study – its emerging key market.

Education New Zealand (ENZ) general manager Peter Bull said the country’s international sector has been growing at a steady rate with more than 110,000 students choosing to study in the country.

“This is welcome news for both international students already studying here in New Zealand and for prospective students thinking about furthering their education journey,” Bull said.

“Not only does it set the standards of care that education providers need to provide, but this new code also highlights the importance New Zealand places on international students having a positive study experience.”

In 2015 ENZ recorded a total of 2,964 Filipinos studying in the country, an additional 1,734 students from the previous year.

To sustain the growth, Bull said the country is pursuing an environment that provides both high quality education paired with a well-supported experience for learners.

According to a study by the International Student Barometer (ISB), in 2014 and 2015 most international students rated their experience in New Zealand as being satisfied or very satisfied.

“With the new Code, international students, including a number of incoming Filipino learners who choose New Zealand as an education destination, can be confident that their well-being is a top priority,” Bull said.

The Code outlines 10 outcomes of care and support sought after by a number of education providers.

New Zealand was one of the first countries to adopt a Code of Practice in 2002.