NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE, No. 188

4 DECEMBER 2008

Authorities and Other Agencies of State Notices

Electricity Commission

Crown Entities Act 2004

Notice of Publication of Annual Report—Electricity Commission

Pursuant to section 150(4) of the Crown Entities Act 2004, the Electricity Commission ("Commission") gives notice that it has published its annual report for the year ending 30 June 2008.

The annual report is available on the Commission’s website

www.electricitycommission.govt.nz/publications

Dated this 24th day of November 2008.

DAVID CAYGILL, Chair.
au8997

New Zealand Qualifications Authority

Education Act 1989

Criteria for Approval and Accreditation of Courses

Pursuant to section 253(3) of the Education Act 1989, notice is given that the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, having undertaken the consultation required by section 253(2) and having established criteria in respect of the approval and accreditation of courses in certain categories of applications, pursuant to section 253(1)(d) and (e), hereby publishes them*.

It is expected that organisations will, in the development and delivery of courses, give effect to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi as expressed in their business plans and/or quality management documents.

All tertiary education organisations shall focus on the quality and value of their outcomes for learners and other stakeholders and the effectiveness of key processes that contribute to these outcomes.

From 1 January 2009, all organisations whose courses are approved pursuant to these criteria and/or that are accredited to deliver courses pursuant to these criteria, shall undertake self-assessment of their own performance and the results of this self-assessment shall be used to monitor and continuously improve the quality of outcomes for learners and other stakeholders.

From 1 January 2009, all organisations whose courses are approved pursuant to these criteria and/or that are accredited to deliver courses pursuant to these criteria shall be subject to periodic external evaluation and review by their quality assurance bodies.

The categories of applications to which these criteria apply are:

(a) all applications in respect of approval of courses and accreditation of organisations to deliver them.

(b) all applications in respect of course approval only, where the course developer will not deliver the course.

(c) all applications in respect of accreditation only, where the course has already received approval under (a) or (b) above.

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority or any body exercising powers of approval and accreditation under the provisions of section 260(2) of the Education Act 1989, or the New Zealand Vice Chancellors’ Committee in exercising the power of approval and accreditation under the provisions of section 260(1) of the Education Act 1989, shall satisfy itself as to the standard and quality of every course for which approval and/or accreditation is sought in regard to the following criteria:

Category (a)—All Applications in Respect of Approval of Courses and Accreditation of Organisations to Deliver Them

Title, aims, learning outcomes and coherence:

The adequacy and appropriateness of the title, aims, stated learning outcomes and coherence of the whole course. (Note: Qualification developers are also required to meet the criteria for registration on the New Zealand Register of Quality Assured Qualifications.)

Delivery and learning methods:

The adequacy and appropriateness of delivery and learning methods, for all modes of delivery, given the stated learning outcomes.

Assessment:

The adequacy of the means of ensuring that assessment procedures are fair, valid, consistent and appropriate given the stated learning outcomes.

Acceptability of the course:

The acceptability of the proposed course to the relevant academic, industrial, professional and other communities in terms of its stated aims and learning outcomes, nomenclature, content and structure.

Regulations:

The adequacy and appropriateness of the regulations that specify requirements for admission, credit for previous study, recognition of prior learning, course length and structure, integration of practical/work-based components, assessment procedures, and normal progression within a programme.

Resources:

The capacity of the organisation to support sustained delivery of the course, in all delivery modes, with regard to appropriate academic staffing, teaching facilities, physical resources and support services.

Evaluation and review:

The adequacy and effectiveness of the provision for evaluation and review of courses; for monitoring the on-going relevance of learning outcomes, course delivery and course standards; for reviewing course regulations and content; for monitoring improvement following evaluation and review; and for determining whether the course shall continue to be offered.