Advantages and disadvantages of secondary education in New Zealand

Compared with the EU countries, the secondary schools in New Zealand have both advantages and disadvantages.

Many immigrant friends are confused and anxious about their children's education. Choosing a public school or a private school is one of them. In Europe, America, New Zealand, Australia and other countries, children attend public schools, study with children from all walks of life, experience life in various ways, and understand the real society and life. Studying in a private school all the way from primary school to middle school, such a similar environment is not necessarily beneficial to the growth of children.

Compared with the United States and Britain, New Zealand's pursuit of elite education is much weaker. A large number of successful and influential politicians, professionals, scholars and entrepreneurs in this country attended public schools when they were students. Therefore, from primary school to university, parents in New Zealand have much less trouble choosing public or private schools for their children.

DavidCameron, the current British Prime Minister, MarkZuckerberg, the founder of FaceBook, DrewGilpinFaust, the president of Harvard University, HenryFordII, the president of Ford Motor Company, HaroldStanley, the founder of Morgan Stanley, and even many famous writers, Hollywood stars and the President of the United States all graduated from top aristocratic middle schools. These truly aristocratic private schools are difficult to enter, and the tuition fees are even more frightening; However, the atmosphere of alumni donating to their alma mater is very prosperous, which has played a virtuous circle of benefits for quality education.

The average annual tuition fee of American aristocratic boarding middle schools is about 32,000-37,000 US dollars, and the boarding fee ranges from 8,000-14,000. However, the teacher-student ratio of 1: 5, super-high quality teaching, and the characteristics of holistic education that attach importance to independence, judgment, international outlook and interpersonal network often make many parents in Britain and the United States lament that this world is really unfair!

There is a big difference in fees between public and private secondary schools.

According to experts, most middle schools in New Zealand are public and funded by the government. There are few private/independent schools, and most of them are located in large urban areas. Many private middle schools belong to religious groups and have historical origins. Many people who used to be private schools got some government subsidies and became integrated schools. There is no school district restriction, and local students can enter school by paying S $3,000 to S $5,000 a year. These schools still maintain their own characteristics, for example, Catholic schools retain religious ceremonies and Catholic teaching courses.

There are nearly ten private schools with high tuition fees, strict teaching quality and unique characteristics in Auckland. Compared with the top quality private schools in Britain and America, New Zealand seems to have no aristocratic schools. Although some of these schools have excellent academic performance and graduates have entered the world's top universities, good news has spread frequently. There are basically no truly elite secondary education institutions in New Zealand. It is worth noting that several schools are working towards this goal and have also shown gratifying initial results; Compared with government public schools, this is a great breakthrough.

Teachers and learning atmosphere are different.

According to experts, the hardware resources of public middle schools in New Zealand are generally superior to those of private middle schools. Unless private schools are hired with high salaries, many teachers prefer to teach in public schools; According to experts from 360 New Zealand Department, the average quality of teachers in public schools is no less than that in private schools. Equality and universal education are still the mainstream in New Zealand, and public schools have the responsibility to accept all students in the school district. Naturally, students' level is uneven, which brings great difficulties to teaching and even leads to the learning atmosphere is generally worse than that of private schools. Especially in private schools that implement entrance examinations, the quality of students is relatively neat, teachers can teach students in a targeted manner, and students' grades have improved rapidly and significantly.

Some public schools have trained many top students who are superior to private schools because of their rich families, high-quality traditional school spirit, good leadership of principals and the implementation of NCEA and Cambridge dual-track courses. However, most students in public schools are not as effective as those in private schools, because of the loss of students in a single NCEA course or because of the weak socio-economic background of school district residents.

In the past two years, middle school teachers in New Zealand have frequently gone on strike. After joining the trade union, teachers in public schools have found backers and have a high degree of consciousness. It is not easy for the headmaster to lead the school. If the education authorities cannot solve the phenomenon that "students' right to education" is damaged, the development space of private schools will continue to expand.

Experts studying abroad remind parents to choose schools according to economic conditions and their children's learning situation, wishes and future development. In New Zealand, if you have money, you can choose; No money, you have a choice. Educational performance often follows the feedback principle that heart is more effective than money!