NON-STATE ACTORS IN EDUCATION
2.2 Non-state education provision
3.1 Regulations by distinct levels of education
- Early childhood care and education (Entry/Establishment ○ Financial operation ○ Quality of teaching and learning ○ Equitable access ○ Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability)
- Primary and secondary education (Entry/Establishment ○ Financial operation ○ Quality of teaching and learning ○ Equitable access ○ Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability)
- Tertiary education (Entry/Establishment ○ Financial operation ○ Quality of teaching and learning ○ Equitable access ○ Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability)
3.2 Supplementary private tutoring
The State does not use the term "non-state actors" in any of its official publications. The term 'private' is not used in the education documents, but it appears in the strategic vision for the 2010-20 National Strategic Plan, in relation to small business development, not education.
The 2016-22 Education Plan highlights the importance of close collaboration of all stakeholders including the General Fono (parliament), the three Taupulega (village councils of elders), the schools, the villages, the Department of Education (TDoE) and the support of Massey University (public university in New Zealand) and New Zealand. However, no non-state actor providers are mentioned.
No specific definition was found at the tertiary education level.
2.1 State education provision
State schools
Education is compulsory from age five to 16 years. Primary (age five to ten) and secondary (age 11 to 17) education are compulsory. Up until 2008, any state or non-state schools offered senior secondary education in Tokelau; students who wished to pursue education beyond year 11 had to study abroad. In 2008, the Education Department implemented Year 12 and Year 13 learning programmes. There are currently three schools in Tokelau, all public, and one on each atoll: Tialeniu School (Fakaofo), Matiti School (Nukunonu) and Matuala School (Atafu). All schools offer education from early childhood education to Year 13. The total student population across the three schools is just over 400 (529 in 2020).
The official language of study is Tokelaun. From Year 3, schools introduce English into the curriculum for 20% of the school time. Schools increase English to 30% of the time (year 4), to 40% (year 5) and to 50% (year 6). From Year six to Year 11, the curriculum consists of the preparation, teaching and assessment of students at 50% English and 50% Tokelauan.
Non-state managed, state schools
The village councils or the Taupalegas run the state-funded schools. However, New Zealand plays a key role in Tokelau’s education system in improving the quality of education at all levels through strengthened structures, systems and operations.
Non-state funded, state schools
Almost all of the Official development assistance (ODA) received by Tokelau comes from New Zealand (95% in 2018-19). This is followed by Australia, World Health Organization, the United Nations Development Programme and Japan. In 2015-16, approximately 60% of Tokelau’s budget was funded by aid from New Zealand and 8% of bilateral ODA received by Tokelau went to education.
2.2 Non-state education provision
There are three schools in the country, all state schools.
Independent, non-state schools
There are no independent, non-state schools in the country.
State-funded (government-aided), non-state schools
There are no state-funded, non-state schools in the country.
Contracted, non-state schools
There are no contracted, non-state schools in the country.
Homeschooling
The 2012 Millennium Development Report states that primary level enrollment is very high in Tokelau and close to 100%. It indicates that “those who do not attend school may be out of choice or other circumstances” (p. 16). The Education Sector Strategic Plan 2008-14 refers to home-school and community partnership.
The 2006-10 National Curriculum Policy Framework states that “the first place of learning is the home where each child learns to take his/her place in relation to members of his/her family and the wider community. Myths and legends are also introduced at an early age, usually by grandparents or senior male and female relatives. As children grow older the sites of learning extend to include the whole village surroundings, regular trips to the malae (site for collective sharing) provide them with knowledge of the organizations of the inati (sharing) system” (p. 5).
Market contracted (Voucher schools)
There are no market-contracted schools in the country.
Unregistered/Unrecognised schools
No information was found.
Since 2014, each village is responsible for the management, resourcing, and governance of schools, but the Department of Education is still the lead advisor to the government on the education system. It sets national standards, oversees the development of schools, training of teachers and scheduling of the annual National Scholarship Examination, establishes monitoring systems, provides national planning, administrative support and education policy advice and liaises with New Zealand and other international organisations and donors specifically related to the education sector. The Department of Education does not have a dedicated sector for the non-state provision. There is no other body responsible for religious education.
Vision: Tokelau is a non-self-governing New Zealand territory, but New Zealand statute law does not apply to this country, unless otherwise stated. New Zealand has not extended the application of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) to Tokelau. The 1995 Constitution does not explicitly enshrine the right to education or mention the role of non-state actors in education. The 2016-22 Education Plan focuses on government school‐based early childhood, primary and secondary education. The 2006-10 National Curriculum Policy Framework does not cover non-state education.
3.1 Regulations by distinct levels of education
Participation in early childhood education is voluntary, but each nuku (village) may encourage full attendance for all children. The three schools in the country all offer early childhood education.
The National Curriculum states that early childhood education covers the years from birth to school entry age. It stipulates that the Department of Education develops minimum standards required to be met by each school in the provision of early childhood education to ensure that the benefits of teaching and learning at this stage of child development are maximised.
No regulation was found for the provision of education by non-state actors at this education level.
Participation in early childhood education is voluntary, but each nuku (village) may encourage full attendance for all children. The three schools in the country all offer early childhood education.
The National Curriculum states that early childhood education covers the years from birth to school entry age. It stipulates that the Department of Education develops minimum standards required to be met by each school in the provision of early childhood education to ensure that the benefits of teaching and learning at this stage of child development are maximised.
No regulation was found for the provision of education by non-state actors at this education level.
Registration and approval: No information was found.
Licence: No information was found.
Profit-making: No information was found.
Taxes and subsidies: No information was found.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum or learning standards: No information was found.
Teaching profession: No information was found.
Fee-setting: No information was found.
Admission selection and processes: No information was found.
Policies for vulnerable groups: No information was found.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
Reporting requirements
Inspection: No information was found.
Child assessment: No information was found.
Sanctions: No information was found.
Registration and approval: No information was found.
Licence: No information was found.
Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) : No information was found.
Profit-making: No information was found.
Taxes and subsidies: No information was found.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum or learning standards: No information was found.
Textbooks and learning materials: No information was found.
Teaching profession: No information was found.
Corporal punishment: No information was found.
Other safety measures and COVID-19: No information was found.
Fee-setting: No information was found.
Admission selection and processes: No information was found.
Policies for vulnerable groups: No information was found.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
School board: No information was found.
Reporting requirements: No information was found.
School inspection: No information was found.
Student assessments: No information was found.
Diplomas and degrees: No information was found.
Sanctions: No information was found.
The University of the South Pacific (USP) has a campus located in Atafu and is public. USP is governed by its own Council. The Alafua Campus in Samoa is also serving Tokelau students. Most students take courses through the distance and flexible learning mode.
The Government Scholarship Scheme supports students enrolled in programmes provided by foreign private education providers outside the country, but requires the recipients to return to Tokelau upon completion of their studies abroad, so that they may apply their skills toward the country’s development.
No regulation was found for the provision of education by non-state actors at this education level.
Registration and approval: No information was found.
Licence: No information was found.
Profit-making: No information was found.
Taxes and subsidies: No information was found.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum or learning standards: No information was found.
Teaching profession: No information was found.
Fee-setting: No information was found.
Admission selection and processes: No information was found.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
Board: No information was found.
Reporting requirements: No information was found.
Inspection: No information was found.
Student assessments: No information was found.
Diplomas and degrees: No information was found.
Sanctions. : No information was found.
3.2 Supplementary private tutoring
No information was found.
Financial operation and quality
No information was found.
No information was found.
