Introduction to the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students

When students from other countries come to study in New Zealand, it is important that those students are well informed, are safe and properly cared for. New Zealand educational providers have an important responsibility for international students' welfare. This section provides an overview of the 'Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students ' (the Code), and provides a procedure that students can follow if they have concerns about their treatment by a New Zealand educational provider, or agent of a provider.

What is the Code of Practice?

The Code is a document, which provides a framework for service delivery by educational providers and their agents to international students. The Code sets out the minimum standards of advice and care that are expected of educational providers with respect to international students. It applies to pastoral care and provision of information only and not to academic standards. 

The Code sets standards for educational providers to ensure that: 

•  High professional standards are maintained
•  The recruitment of international students is undertaken in an ethical and responsible manner
•  Information supplied to international students is comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date
•  Students are provided with information prior to entering into any commitments
•  Contractual dealings with international students are conducted in an ethical and responsible manner
•  The particular needs of international students are recognised
•  International students under the age of 18 are in safe accommodation
•  All providers have fair and equitable internal procedures for the resolution of international student grievances

Electec College of Technology has agreed to observe and be bound by the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students by the Minister of Education. Copies of the Code are available on request from Electec College, or you can download a copy from  the Ministry of Education site  in nine languages. 

Who Does the Code Apply to?

The Code applies to all education providers in New Zealand with students enrolled on international study permits. The Code is mandatory to these providers and must be signed by them.

How do I know if an Educational Provider has Signed the Code?

The New Zealand Ministry of Education maintains a register of all signatories to the Code and a list is available from the Ministry of Education site. If the educational provider that you are seeking to enrol with is not a signatory to the Code, you will not be granted a permit from the New Zealand Immigration Service and you will not be able to study at that institution.

What do I do if Something Goes Wrong?

If you have concerns about your treatment by your educational provider or by an agent of the provider, the first thing you must do is contact the principal, the international student director, or another person who has been identified to you as someone that you can approach about complaints at your institution. The Code requires all institutions to have fair and equitable internal grievance procedures for students and you need to go through these internal processes before you can take the complaint any further.

If your concerns are not resolved by the internal grievance procedures, you can contact the International Education Appeal Authority (IEAA).

The Code also establishes the IEAA and the Review Panel to receive and adjudicate on student complaints.

What will the IEAA do?

The purpose of the IEAA is to adjudicate on complaints from international students. The IEAA will investigate complaints and determine if there has been a breach of the Code. The IEAA has the power to impose sanctions on educational providers who have committed a breach of the Code that is not a serious breach. These sanctions include an order for restitution, publication of the breach, and / or requiring that remedial action be undertaken.

The IEAA will refer complaints that are not about pastoral care to another regulatory body if appropriate.

The educational provider will be given a reasonable time to remedy the breach. If the breach is not remedied within that time, the IEAA may refer the complaint to the Review Panel. The IEAA can determine if it considers that a breach of the Code is a serious breach. If the breach is a serious breach, the IEAA will refer the complaint to the Review Panel.

What can the Review Panel do?

The Review Panel can remove or suspend an educational provider as a signatory to the Code, meaning that the provider would be prevented from taking any more international students. Only the IEAA can refer complaints to the Review Panel.

What is the International Education Appeal Authority (IEAA)?

The IEAA is an independent body established to deal with complaints from international students about pastoral care aspects of advice and services received from their educational provider or the provider's agents. The IEAA enforces the standards in the Code of Practice.

How can I contact the IEAA?

The International Education Appeal Authority
Private Bag 32001

Panama Street

Wellington

Email:   ieaa@justice.govt.nz

Fax:     (04)  462-2220
Phone: (04) 462-6686

Education Christchurch Membership

Electec College is also an accredited member of 'Education Christchurch' which is a regional consortium of education providers administered by the Canterbury Development Corporation.

Education Christchurch has a strict adherence to quality standards and members are signatories to a 'Commitment to Quality Assurance' statement. More information can be found on their web site at Education Christchurch and Canterbury