WELLINGTON, June 30 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Paul Goldsmith on Friday released a draft education strategy for consultation.
The draft International Education Strategy sets out the government's proposed vision, goals and immediate priorities for international education through to 2025.
International education has grown rapidly to become New Zealand's fourth biggest export earner, valued at 4.5 billion NZ dollars (3.3 billion U.S. dollars), creating around 33,000 jobs, Goldsmith said.
"It is important that New Zealand international education delivers on its promise to international students - an education to be proud of," Goldsmith said.
The draft strategy aims to ensure New Zealand continues to benefit from international education through a high-quality and sustainable international education sector, he said, adding that the government will work with the sector to encourage the development of innovative products and services, and continue to diversify the markets and to support regional economic growth.
"This means that we need to ensure that unethical or illegal activity is prevented, and that New Zealand education providers attract students who are motivated by study," Goldsmith said.
The government is now seeking feedback from education providers and others about how the proposed strategy aligns with their priorities. Consultation will close on Aug. 31 and a final strategy is expected to be published later in the year.
