NZTC partnership bolsters quality ECEC educators for South East China

A collaboration between New Zealand Tertiary College (NZTC), the Fujian Preschool Education College and the China Liberal Education Technology Development Company Limited has resulted in the training of hundreds of early childhood teachers (ECTs) now working in South East China.

NZTC Chief Executive Selena Fox flew to China in June to celebrate the fourth cohort of graduates from the partnership. Graduates from the program now number 337.

“This graduation celebrates five years of work together by three outstanding organisations. It is a symbol of the rich relationships that have navigated oceans, languages and cultures between New Zealand and China to come together because of our shared commitment to the education of teachers of young children – here in Fuzhou.” Ms Fox said.

The 55 Certificate in Early Childhood Teaching (Level 6) graduates began their education in 2017 and are now eligible to complete a bachelor’s degree in China or with NZTC in New Zealand.

Four graduates were honoured with commendation awards. Jiangwen Wang, Huilin Xie and Ying Zhang received awards for Academic Excellence. Yifan Lai was bestowed the treasured NZTC Values Award acknowledging her commitment to each of the college values – Vision, Heart, Competence and Spirit.

Like New Zealand, China has a strong need for qualified early childhood teachers and NZTC’s English-based curriculum has put graduates in a strong position to find employment in local childcare centres and kindergartens.

“The college is very proud to have supported so many China-based ECE teachers to gain the knowledge and skills needed to nurture the next generation into confident lifelong learners” Ms Fox said.

“The strength of the cross-cultural relationships made between New Zealand and China in our shared commitment to the education of young children is built into who we are at NZTC and serves us well for each and every Chinese student who chooses to make New Zealand their study journey and home for a time.” she added.

The quality of NZTC’s early childhood education (ECE) programs was recognised by the Chinese government when it was added to the Chinese Ministry of Education recognised foreign institutions list in 2015.

More information about NZTC is available here.