From next year the Qualifications Authority (NZQA) will assume direct responsibility for quality assurance of institutes of technology and polytechnics, taking over the role from ITP Quality, which has held the responsibility since 1993.

The Minister for Tertiary Education, Steven Joyce, said ITP Quality has voluntarily returned the delegation for quality assurance to NZQA.

“The benefits of strong, independent quality assurance across the tertiary sector will help maintain and further improve confidence both here in New Zealand and internationally.”

A dedicated unit to provide services to the ITPs will be established within NZQA. The unit will undertake course approvals, degree applications approval and external evaluation and reviews of individual ITPs. An ITP Advisory Forum will also be established to provide advice to NZQA.

The unit will undertake course approvals, degree applications approval, and external evaluation and reviews of individual ITPs. In addition, an ITP Advisory Forum will be established to provide advice to NZQA on the quality assurance of the sector.

NZQA currently manages quality assurance for the PTE sector and for wānanga. The university sector retains responsibility for its own quality assurance.

TEU’s ITP academic vice president, Richard Draper, said there was considerable disquiet about this proposal when it was first mooted. He said many in the sector were concerned that NZQA was not in the best position to assume this responsibility in terms of staffing and expertise.

“It is a consequence of the unfortunate decision of the CEOs of the ‘metro’ group of polytechnics to split from ITPNZ in 2009. ITP Quality is an independent committee of ITPNZ. Although all of the polytechnics were keen to see ITPQ continue in its role, when ITPNZ split into the newly formed NZITP and the ‘metro’ group has clearly, it undermined the position of ITPQ. It is no great surprise to see this change.”