Bachelor of Teaching (Primary Education)

Practical courses connect theory with practice and are strongly aligned with sector needs to ensure work-ready graduates equipped with skills and knowledge required for teaching positions or for further study at postgraduate level.

Enrolment Information for new learners

Please note: Enrolments for February for new learners have now closed. We are enrolling for June 2025

What you will Learn

Graduates of this programme will be able to:

• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding and knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, te reo Māori and tikanga Māori in primary education settings to support tamariki Māori and rangatahi Māori to enjoy educational success as Māori;
• Utilise skills for engaging appropriately and effectively with tamariki and rangatahi, their parents, families and whānau, as well as colleagues, stakeholder professionals and external organisations;
• Critically analyse effective practices for planning, differentiating and implementing learning and teaching practices for tamariki and rangatahi of diverse backgrounds and which meet specific learning needs across the full range of abilities in primary education settings;
• Utilise current research on tamariki and rangatahi development in the physical, social, intellectual, emotional and cultural domains to facilitate accurate and useful planning, programming and assessment of learning and for learning in primary education settings;.
• Demonstrate learning gained in multiple, varied practicum opportunities in primary education contexts with the support of accomplished mentors;
• Apply critical reflection to continually improve knowledge and skills, and collaborate effectively with professional colleagues within and beyond their primary education context.

Teacher Registration

Once you have successfully completed this programme, you will be eligible to apply for registration and a practising certificate to begin your teaching career in New Zealand. A Tōmua | Provisional Practising Certificate is the first practising certificate you will hold. For New Zealand trained teachers, a Tōmua | Provisional Practising Certificate is issued or renewed for three years.

For more information please visit this link: 

Teaching Council of New Zealand, Applying for a Tōmua | Provisional Practising Certificate

Partner school

Ākonga require the support of an approved partner school in order to enter this programme. Open Polytechnic can assist with acquiring this support.

Ākonga are based in a local primary school (partner school) for two full days per week if full time, or one full day per week if part time (in addition to practicum). These days are decided between the ākonga and the school, and ākonga are expected to attend between 9am and 3pm. There are 140 days in total across this degree.

This time in schools ensures ākonga have the opportunity to directly connect theory with practice. During school-based practice ākonga will be exposed to a range of learning experiences and will develop their teaching practice alongside qualified teachers. Ākonga are expected to contribute to the mahi of their partner school, based on their own area of skill or interest.

If you have an existing relationship with a school (you already work there, or are well known to them), please approach them to seek candidate support for your application. Schools are busy places, so please contact them first to make an appointment. When you are in discussions with the school, please email or bring them a copy of this School Placement Information. This document includes the following:

• Partner School Letter: This letter explains why you are approaching the school for support.
• Programme Leaflet: This gives the school an overview of the programme and details the responsibilities required by the school.
• Candidate Support Form: Schools should complete and return this form to confirm their support.

We suggest you give yourself plenty of time to do this before the application close-off date.

If you do not have an existing relationship with the school, please do not approach a school directly, rather indicate this on the pre-enrolment check (also linked in the ‘Choose courses and apply’ tab).

Career opportunities

This programme leads to employment in primary education and other teaching settings, and related professions.
It is a recognised initial teacher education qualification for the purposes of meeting the requirements for application to register as a teacher with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa
New Zealand.

Programme delivery

Noho marae

Ākonga participate in three compulsory noho marae (overnight stay) during the programme. Noho are held in 4 or 5 centres across the country. Ākonga will have an opportunity to connect with local tikanga and kawa (marae protocols and Māori practices), and te reo Māori.

For ākonga enrolled in Tō Tātou Tiriti courses, below are the details for noho marae offered in 2025 as confirmed to date. Please note that while these dates and venues are confirmed, a change might occasionally be required:

First half of the year:

• 29-30 March 2025: Ōrongomai Marae, Upper Hutt
• 5-6 April 2025: Puketeraki Marae, Dunedin
• 12-13 April 2025: Maungatapu Marae, Tauranga
• 3-4 May 2025: Te Puna Wānaka, Ara, Christchurch
• 10-11 May 2025: NorthTec Te Puna o Te Mātauranga Marae, Whangārei
•  24-25 May 2025: Te Ohaaki Marae, Huntly

Second half of the year (July-September period) – to be confirmed.

If you enrol in a course starting in September or October 2025 that has a noho marae as a compulsory course requirement you will not be able to complete the course until after the course end date. You will be awarded a Grade Pending result until you have attended a noho marae in the March - May 2026 period. Please note that a Grade Pending result will not satisfy any pre-requisite requirements, you must have a pass grade before you have met the pre-requisite.

Practicum

Throughout this programme ākonga complete three practicums, totalling 120 days. During practicums you are expected to be at schools before 8:30am and to be available until 4pm each day. In these practicums, ākonga engaging with tamariki, family, whānau and communities, as well as other members of the teaching profession. Throughout their practicums ākonga are supported to engage in a wider community of practice and build their professional connections.

During practicums, ākonga have an opportunity to demonstrate the progress they are making towards achieving the Key Teaching Tasks and their ability to meet the Standards for the Teaching Profession (in a supported environment).

Maximum Programme Completion Time 

To be awarded the qualification, the programme must be completed in no more than 6 years of first enrolment, unless there are exceptional circumstances.