Chinese demands tougher education standards from New Zealand ( 2003-11-05 16:12) (Agencies)
China has asked New Zealand to improve education and safety standards at
private schools and colleges attended by Chinese students, a news report said
Wednesday.
The Chinese government wrote to Education Minister Trevor Mallard earlier
this year claiming that education standards at private schools in New Zealand
were not good enough ``to ensure a quality educational experience for Chinese
students,'' according to New Zealand National Radio.
The report didn't elaborate, but Beijing's request follows the recent
financial collapse of two private colleges and a series of crimes involving
foreign students, including extortion and killings.
Beijing was drawing up a list of approved colleges for students planning to
study abroad, and Mallard said in a statement Wednesday that private education
providers in New Zealand would probably not be included unless the government
responded to China's concerns.
Mallard said he would discuss the issue with private education firms on
Friday.
About 30,000 Chinese students attended private schools and colleges in New
Zealand last year. The schools and colleges mainly provide English language,
technical and cultural courses.
During a visit to New Zealand by Chinese President Hu Jintao last month,
officials signed an agreement for mutual recognition of academic degrees between
the two countries.
