What the TES focuses on

The TES shares priorities with the Statement of National Education and Learning Priorities (NELP) for early learning and schooling. This linking recognises that learners change and grow as they move through their education and that the education system needs to listen to them, adapt to their needs, and empower them to achieve their aspirations, whatever their age or stage of learning.

The TES comprises eight priorities which ask tertiary education organisations to focus on:

• the achievement and wellbeing of all learners
• ensuring that places of learning are safe and inclusive and free from racism, discrimination, and bullying  
• reducing barriers to success and strengthening the quality of teaching to give learners the skills they need to succeed in education, work and life 
• taking account of learners’ needs, identities, languages and cultures in their planning and practice
• incorporating te reo Māori and tikanga Māori into their everyday activities
• collaborating more with whānau, employers, industry and communities to support learners to succeed in work.

The TES includes actions that both tertiary education organisations (TEOs) and Government can take to help achieve the priorities. TEOs will need to show how they will have regard to the TES priorities in their investment plans. The TEC’s Investment Plan Guidance will support TEOs to do this.

More information about the TES can be found on the Ministry of Education website.