Report
Education Outside the Classroom in Aotearoa New Zealand – A Comprehensive National Study: Final Report
EOTC is part of the fabric of almost every school in Aotearoa and highly valued, with cost, staff capability, time and health and safety demands the main constraints.
What's new
A national mixed-methods study (2017–2018) drawing on a questionnaire completed by 523 school leaders and EOTC coordinators, inventories from 23 schools, and interviews with 28 leaders and teachers, 140 students and 9 LEOTC providers. 96% of respondents rated EOTC very or extremely important. Four connected themes explain its value: curriculum enrichment, student engagement, personal and social skills and connections, and a sense of something new. Most EOTC in inventory schools was teacher-led and within 20 km of school.
Why it matters in Aotearoa
It is the most comprehensive national picture of EOTC in New Zealand schools and remains the baseline for advocacy, planning and PLD. It also found that the Ministry's EOTC guidelines help most schools, and that safety-management PLD is valued by schools that attend, while many schools have not accessed it.
Putting it into practice
Use the report's four themes to explain the purpose of each EOTC experience to students and whānau, and check which of the main constraints (cost, staffing, time, health and safety workload) most limits EOTC at your school.
How strong is the evidence
Large national mixed-methods study with survey, inventory and interview data. Data were collected in 2017–2018, before the current curriculum refresh and recent cost pressures.
What to read
The executive summary and key findings (pages 7–11), then Chapter Five on enabling EOTC to flourish.