English language schools call for change in policy

English language students aren't allowed to hold part-time job. Photo / Dean Purcell

Enrolments in English language schools have been "flat" despite an overall growth in international student numbers, says a leading industry figure.

The sector is hoping policy changes this year will help revive the industry, says Rob MacKay, chairman of English New Zealand.

Last year, a survey done by the body - which represents private and public English schools - found 55 per cent of member schools had reported forward bookings to be down on the previous year and 30 per cent trading at the same level.

He said the main reason for the "blockage to success" was the previous government's ban on part-time work for English language student permit holders until they passed an English language test. This ban does not apply to high school or university students.

"Offshore education consultants report up to 25 per cent of students seeking to study English in New Zealand are diverted to competing countries because of this discrimination," he said.

"Removing this anomaly will attract students from existing and emerging markets, particularly from South America and Europe."

Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman has asked for the policy of banning part-time work for English-language students to be reviewed.

"We are looking forward to 2010 in a positive mood, in readiness for the sustainable and diverse growth that will come from the long awaited good quality government policies," Mr McKay said.

"Although enrolment numbers are generally flat, the future is promising."

But Education New Zealand chief executive Robert Stevens said Ministry of Education figures showed the number of fee-paying students enrolled in private providers, which includes most English language schools, increased by 11.8 per cent between January and August.

"The amount of [export education] levy collected from these providers, which is directly proportional to the amount of tuition collected by them, increased by 21.5 per cent over 2008," Mr Stevens said.

He said the number of students on student visas does not reflect those on short courses of less than three months, which is often the case for English language students who come on a visitor's permit.

The English language school sector is a feeder for other export education sectors, and is worth $504 million in GDP, second only to the university sector's $738 million.

THE NUMBERS

English language schools sector:

* Worth $504 million
* Fee paying students up 11.8 per cent between Jan and Aug
* Export levy up 21.5 per cent