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A world-first tertiary high school has started in Auckland in a bid to reduce the number of college dropouts.
One in five New Zealand students leaves high school without any qualifications, but now the Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) is helping do something about it.
MIT has embedded high school in its polytechnic whereby students can earn NCEA credits and vocational qualifications, without having to pay fees.
The idea to open MIT's doors to high school students was Stuart Middleton's, the polytechnic's director of external relations.
He says the concept, which required a law change to work, is about keeping students in school, but not 'at' school.
That said, the programme it is not an easy ride.
"It's up to them to get to the right place at the right time. There won't be bells ringing and there won't be people patrolling. So that asks them to grow up very quickly and to be self managing," he says.
MIT is taking on 80 south Auckland students a year in classes ranging from sport and recreation to vehicle technology.
Teachers are also working basic maths and English into what the students are doing in their practical classes.
The concept is a test case, with the government planning to open more tertiary high schools if this works.
"It's crucial that we see this as a possibility of working through, keeping kids engaged in education in a practical, involved way, and that it's not just seen as a dumping ground for kids they want to throw out of secondary school," says education researcher Joce Jesson.
Teacher Paul Voorburg says students are showing the sort of interest they never had at school.
"They're turning up on time, they're staying, they're talking to each other, they're asking questions," he says.
He has high hopes for his students, saying that getting a start
like this means they will be in the workforce in New Zealand or
perhaps overseas by the age of 20.
