EDNZ is an educational research and development organisation providing teaching tools and learning resources to streamline teaching and learning in schools and at home.
Uniquely positioned in the education sector as an independent, non-profit organisation EDNZ also actively engages in areas and aspects of education that directly or indirectly affect learning, physical and mental well-being, personal development, rights and welfare of children and young people.
To this end EDNZ engages in:
Initial inquiries:
- to ask fundamental questions about the tenets, intents and purposes of education contrasted against the prevalent practices in the pedagogical domain (teaching and learning).
- To identify and evaluate factors and constructs that influence schemes, policies and practices e.g. prevailing ideologies, market-driven forces, the normalisation process, etc.
- To analyse the language and semantics used in the education narrative including clichéd euphemisms in shaping public perception of education e.g. empractical use of words or concepts such as academic achievement, mastery, success, competency, etc.
- to create high-trust relationships and connect like-minded individuals, groups and organizations.
- to create partnerships and collaborate with stakeholders, research communities, commissions, government departments and agencies, innovative technology providers, legal and health advisors, international organisations and consult with hapū and iwi.
- To engender a meaningful public discourse on pedagogical subjects and issues of concern to raise awareness and effect change.
- to publish articles, reports and recommendations to inform key stakeholders and the public to encourage broad-based dialogue, participation and action.
In practice EDNZ engagement translates to a wide range of programmes, initiatives and services including advisory work and partnership projects in support of its goals and principles.
Summary
EDNZ is an independent, non-profit, community oriented organisation dedicated to advancing the cause of education through research, pragmatic projects, community building and discourse. The cumulative effect of our work serves to expand pedagogical knowledge in teaching and learning and improve depth, quality and effectiveness of education.
Goal
Our goal and principal commitment is to ensure that nurturing environments and best educational opportunities are provided for children and young persons within a developmentally appropriate conceptual and practice framework.
Nurturing environments are safe and inviting, respectful of the needs and rights of children and the youth, encourage creative independent thinking, kindle love of learning, foster self-worth and promote respect for others and the natural world.
Educational opportunities are created by means, methods and conditions facilitated by institutions of learning (schools) and government structures that support them, and also by parents, whānau or caregivers to enable equitable access to high quality teaching and high standards in learning for the younger generation.
Approach
We seek deeper and broader understanding of contextualized education in all its complexities as it pertains to learning and teaching through wide-ranging programmes, evidence-based research, observation, transdisciplinary collaboration and active engagement of communities of practitioners and involvement of like-minded organisations.
Rationale
Creating nurturing environments and providing best educational practices and opportunities for our young is a fundamental obligation we have as a society. Fortunately we have matured as a society to acknowledge this as a matter of principle of great significance as is evident in the varieties of ways we try to fulfill this obligation. But there is also a shared responsibility to ensure that in practice every effort to this end serves this very purpose. This is a delicate balance which requires clarity of purpose and motives that are genuine in intent and in practice. Only then we are able to create a healthier, more equitable and prosperous society which ultimately translates to more meaningful lives for everyone.
Role
Our role in this collective responsibility is supportive, complementary and contributory with a particular attention to making sure that the rights of children and young students are guaranteed, their physical, mental and emotional well-being and their overall welfare is best served by our own work and by engagement of others in the education domain.
All children are vulnerable, both physically and mentally. And exactly because they are children they need more protection and other rights beyond those of adults.
Structure
EDNZ is a non-profit organization which operates within a sustainability governance framework. The management infrastructure blends strategy, sector positioning, measurement, process, people and organization in a sustainable way to ensure maximum productivity, impact and true independence.
Vision
We envision a society where common good purpose directs all its affairs. This starts with education of our young today.