Executive Summary

Participation in early childhood education (ECE) contributes to a child's later development and future learning. The number of children attending early childhood education services, and the time they spend in these, has been steadily increasing for all children across all ethnic groups over the past 16 years (see Chapter 1). The quality of education children are receiving in early childhood services as measured by the number of qualified and registered teachers have increased markedly in recent years (see Chapter 4). Accessibility, including affordability, does not appear to be a systemic problem (see Chapter 2) and the early childhood services themselves appear to be sustainable (see Chapter 3).

Primary schooling builds on the concepts gained in early childhood. Young New Zealanders are, as a whole, performing as well as or better than their peers internationally (see Chapter 5).

Similarly, secondary schooling builds on the achievements of primary schooling. The knowledge and skills young New Zealanders gain at secondary school are critical to their likelihood of successful participation in tertiary education and/or future employment. International studies show that New Zealand secondary school students perform at a high level compared with students from other countries (see Chapter 9). Secondary students are generally performing better academically at school, with more secondary students leaving school with qualifications than in previous years  and are in a better position to take advantage of future learning opportunities (see Chapter 10).

Retention of students who 'engage' with their schooling communities has positive effects on their future education and employment. Students who disengage from schooling, and in particular leave school early, face a life time of disadvantage. Students from socio-economically disadvantaged communities and Maori students have relatively poor rates of school participation and engagement and for some groups it is continuing to worsen (see Chapters 6 and 7).

Participation in tertiary education allows people to develop the knowledge and skills to live in a modern society and knowledge-based economy. Participation in tertiary education opens up career opportunities, and has a range of positive impacts on income, standards of living, and health. New Zealand's open tertiary system and flexible learning opportunities for people to study have helped see a substantial increase in enrolments during this decade (see Chapter 12) while qualification completion rates have been maintained (see Chapter 13). Policy changes were implemented to restrict funds available for short awards towards longer courses.

While the general education picture for New Zealand is very positive, there are disparities when different groups of the population are compared. Generally early childhood education services and schools that draw their children/students from communities with the greatest socio-economic disadvantage have the worst rates for participation, numeracy and literacy, and qualification attainment. Similarly, Maori and Pasifika students often have worse results than their peers, which mirror the over-representation of Maori and Pasifika in socio-economically disadvantaged communities.

Over recent years Maori and Pasifika students and students from low socio-economic communities have tended to improve at relatively higher rates than other groups, for early childhood education participation, numeracy and literacy, and schooling qualifications, implying disparities are reducing.

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