English language students getting back to class

English language students getting back to class

The private English language school (ELS) industry is supporting all the English language students from Modern Age Institute of Learning to get back into class. The total tuition costs covered by the industry may be around $700,000. The Government has also indicated that it may force the industry to pay for lost accommodation funds of up to $500,000 that will be advanced from export education levy funds. APPEL will refrain from public comment on that until the Government provides details of their plans.

CRELS (NZ)i allocated all 193 Auckland English language students to new schools at a meeting in Auckland yesterday. The schools taking them on are:

· AIS St Helens

· Auckland English Academy

· Aspect ILA

· Auckland University English Language Academy

· Dynaspeak English

· Edenz Colleges

· Quality Training English School

· Shane Global Village

· Shore English

· Worldwide School of English

“We would like to thank all of those other private and public English language schools outside of CRELS (NZ) that have offered support and especially those that have accepted students. We had more offers than we could accept and, in any case, CRELS (NZ) members had to take on the primary responsibility,” said Maureen Hayes.

“This has been a great effort by CRELS(NZ) members and shows students, overseas markets and the New Zealand community that we live up to our commitments.”

Patrick Ibbertson, APPELii chairperson, said, “We are delighted that the students will be getting back into class today. After the huge problem that Modern Age’s owners created for us last Friday, it is great to get those students back into class. APPEL, CRELS (NZ) and the whole industry have pulled together. We would also like to note the support of NZIS, NZQA, the Ministry of Education, MFAT, NZTE and Ministers for their co-operation to get things done quickly.”

Association of Private Providers of English Language “This shows the integrity of the English language industry, but we have to reduce the likelihood of such events. Most of the English language industry meets their regulatory requirements, and we will work with the Government to ensure everyone meets their commitments in future. It is unacceptable for people to dip into prepaid funds, which is a breach of existing regulations.”

The English language students in Tauranga and Wellington should be assigned to their new schools by the end of the week, and APPEL and CRELS (NZ) acknowledge the support of Education Tauranga, Education Wellington International and individual providers in those areas. A further announcement will be made when arrangements are finalised.

Note: All private English language schools in New Zealand must comply with NZQA’s student fee protection policy. Modern Age’s approach is a collaborative arrangement with other members of CRELS (NZ), under which the other members of the group agreed to take on the English language students in the case of Modern Age closing.

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