NZQA has finally arrived

I received my papers back from NZQA today. They have assessed my bachelor's to a level 7 - outcome: A bachelor degree at level 7 (360 credits). My master's was assessed to a level 8. Outcome. A qualifcation of level 8. (120 credits).

Comments: The Bachelor of Science degree contains core components of a New Zealand Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary Education).

Within the papers they typed up (keeping in mind, my original degree from the States is Elementary & Special Education beginning from pre-k -grade 6, respectively pre-k to grade 12), they mentioned that in NZ there is no initial teacher education qualifications in the area of special education. Specialist Education Teachers are, generally required to train first as teachers and then qualify in spcial education. So first they obtain a teaching qualification and then go into special education. So they didn't accept the special education part as being a qualified special ed. teacher as far as I can understand. But they also put "NZQA does, however, recognise that there are many components in your studies that are similiar to those taken in teacher education courses in NZ and has added a comment to your report that states you have core components of a NZ Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary Education) within the content of your qualification." I think that is really only confirming they agree my degree is as a primary school teacher? 

Now NZQA also attached a note saying that "from 1 Nov 2010, NZ qualified and registered primary teachers in ECE services can be counted for funding purposes. Overseas-trained teachers who have had their qualifications evaluated by NZQA as comparable to NZ primary qualification and who are then registered by NZTC are deemed to be NZ qualified adn registered primary teachers for the purposes of this initiative."

I am still waiting for my papers from the Teaching Council.

Now I wonder, with my degree now being assessed as a primary school teacher, yet I have applied under Early Childhood for immigration purposes, can immigration now take points away because on my application on question where I marked yes for:

"Are you claiming points for a qualification in one of the areas of absolute skills shortage?"

If that is the case will they still make a decision based on all my other paperwork sent in or can they send my case back to the pool even though I've already been sent an ITA from them and will be sending it back? The first time immigration denied me those points, but I sent a paper back from my school showing it does cover Early Childhood ages as well so it got accepted.

The new law in NZ allows primary school teachers to work in ECE so I am allowed to apply for jobs in ECE.

According to the Ministry of Education homepage they have written the following regarding primary school teachers. I suppose I can use this to help my case if it becomes a problem with immigration?
"The Government is committed to recognising the broad range of skills and knowledge primary qualified teachers can bring to early childhood education (ECE). These changes ensure that these teachers will be recognised through funding to ECE services.

The Government has set aside $19.5 million over four years to cover the additional cost of recognising New Zealand qualified and registered primary teachers in ECE services for funding purposes. From 1 November 2010, New Zealand qualified and registered primary teachers in ECE services can be counted for funding purposes. This means that registered primary teachers can be included in the staff hour count. An ECE service that employs a New Zealand qualified and registered primary teacher may be eligible for higher funding rates."

I know I can sit and wonder and until my ITA gets sent back to immigration, I won't know the definite answer.

__________________
Submitted EOI: 05/04/2011
EOI selected: 06/04/2011
EOI Decision Successful: 28/04/2011
Invitation to apply: arrived in post 29/04/2011
NZQA submitted: 12/04/2011 

NZQA received: 23/05/2011