New Zealand’s ICT Strategic Framework has been developed by the education sector government agencies and the National Library to ‘improve learner achievement in an innovative education sector, fully connected and supported by the smart use of ICT’. Connectivity is a key component of this Strategic Framework and supports the Strategic Framework’s vision by providing access to a robust national open standards-driven ICT infrastructure for education.
Projects that are enabling connectivity are focused around:
- Connected networks;
- Appropriate security;
- Access & interoperability standards; and
- Shared ICT services.
A cross-agency committee (the Education Sector ICT Connectivity Committee) has also been established to focus on resolving architectural issues relating to the ‘Connectivity’ domain of the ICT Strategic Framework. This group is focused primarily, but not exclusively on access and interoperability standards and technical issues.
Examples of connectivity projects:
- The Schools Network Upgrade Project is cabling small schools that have no network so that they are able to use their internet connection to interact with other education organisations.
- Work is underway to ensure education sector websites comply with NZ Government Web Guidelines.
- A project is underway to connect public libraries with the Kiwi Advanced Research and Education Network (KAREN) in order to connect users with researchers, educators, data and internet resources.
- The Education Sector Authentication and Authorisation (ESAA) project is providing a secure and simple method of accessing education sector applications and resources.
For more information on the ICT Strategic Framework or the projects related to connectivity in the education sector, please email:
ICT.Sector@minedu.govt.nz [no spam]