In this issue
In this Code News you can:
- 2023 Code self-review and attestation update
- Code self-review info sessions
- Mental health awareness week
- Combined dispute resolution scheme
2023 self-review and attestations
Tertiary education providers will have received two emails about self-review and attestation for the Code. The first was sent in early September and outlined key information and resources and the second was sent today, 18 September, and includes your unique link to the online attestation form. These emails will have gone to your CE, director or their delegate.
If you did not receive the link, please check your spam mail. If it is not there, please email code.enquiries@nzqa.govt.nz and a member of the team can support you. Your link is unique and cannot be forwarded, so please contact us if you did not receive the email.
The attestation due date is 1 November 2023 for PTEs and Wānanga.
Information on the 2023 Code self-review and attestation process for school signatories to the Code will be sent in the coming weeks.
Code self-review info sessions
Last week, NZQA hosted two information sessions on supporting tertiary providers with the 2023 Code self-review and attestation process. These sessions were well attended and focused on the self-review and attestation process.
We will be hosting one final session on 20 September 2023 at 2pm via Microsoft Teams webinar. If you would like to participate in this session, please register. Participants do not need a Microsoft Teams account to register.
Information sessions for school signatories to the Code will be hosted in October 2023. Information on registering for these sessions will be sent in the coming weeks.
Further information and resources to support your self-review can be found on the NZQA website.
Mental health awareness week
Under the Code, tertiary providers must support learners in managing their physical and mental health through good information and advice. Providers must also be able to identify and respond to learners who need additional support. Mental health, in particular, can be a difficult challenge for providers with many local, national and global factors affecting learners.
In honour of mental health awareness week (18-24 September), the Mental Health Foundation and other health organisations have developed free resources for the public. We encourage providers to look through this information and consider sharing appropriate resources with their learners:
Mental health foundation: Home | Mental Health Foundation (external link)
Mental health awareness week main page: Mental Health Awareness Week | Mental Health Awareness Week. 18 - 24 SEPTEMBER 2023(mhaw.nz) (external link)
Mental health awareness week resources: Mental Health Awareness Week resources | Mental Health Foundation (external link)
Community and public health website: Discover the five ways to wellbeing during Mental Health Awareness Week (cph.co.nz) (external link)
Combined dispute resolution scheme
Please see a message from the Ministry of Education regarding the combined dispute resolution scheme:
The Ministry of Education has been undertaking work to combine the Domestic Tertiary Student Contract Dispute Resolution Scheme (domestic DRS) with the International Student Contract Dispute Resolution Scheme (International DRS) into a single scheme.
The combined scheme for Domestic Tertiary and International learners will have the same scope as the existing international and domestic schemes: financial and contractual matters and claims for redress linked to breaches of the Code. The rules for the scheme have been finalised and an operator has been appointed.
Combined DRS rules
The rules for the combined DRS will come into effect on 1January 2024. You can view the rules on the New Zealand legislation website:
Education (Domestic Tertiary Student and International Student Contract Dispute Resolution Scheme) Rules 2023 (external link) - NZ legislation
The rules for the combined DRS are closely based on the domestic DRS rules, which were established in 2021. The Domestic DRS rules are similar to the International DRS rules but better reflect current dispute resolution best practice in Aotearoa. Using the Domestic DRS rules as the foundation means there are minimal changes in the way the combined DRS operates for domestic learners, and enhanced support and flexibility available to international learners.
The combined DRS rules also includes the following changes:
Homestay families or caregivers will be able to make claims on behalf of an international student; andThe DRS operator will be required to only inform education providers that a dispute has been lodged if it is accepted.
Appointment of an operator for the Combined DRS
The Minister has appointed Fairway Resolution Limited (Fairway) to operate the combined scheme, which will begin operating on 1 January 2024. Fair Way currently operate the International DRS, known as iStudent. The Domestic DRS and the International DRS will finish their operations at the end of this year. The Ministry will work with the operators of the existing schemes and the combined scheme on a transition arrangement to minimise impacts for students who have active applications or claims underway.
The Ministry of Education will provide further information about transitional arrangements as they are developed.
Any questions or feedback?
Feel free to contact us via the details below:
0800 697 296 (ask for Code team)