Whanau hold the key to educational success Minister

The kaupapa Maori model of whanau involvement in education is benefiting Maori learners, and is something all New Zealanders could learn from, according to Associate Education Minister Dr Pita Sharples.

“Although only a small proportion of Maori students are enrolled in Maori-language medium schools, they achieve better than their Maori peers in English-language schools,” said Dr Sharples.

“One of the themes of ‘Nga Haeata Matauranga – the Annual Report on Maori Education 2007-2008’ is that relationships between schools, teachers and students determine educational success – and for Maori to succeed as Maori, they must participate and be seen as part of their whanau,” he said.

“Whanau know their children’s potential, and they know how to release it, right from early childhood through to tertiary education.

“When whanau take ownership and are encouraged to invest in their children’s learning, they are able to place high expectations on their children, and to support them to achieve the highest standards,” said Dr Sharples.

“Our goal must be to transfer this experience into all schools. Nga Haeata Matauranga shows that progress is being made, but we have to do better, and at a much faster rate. Maori learners and their whanau deserve excellence, no matter where they are in our education system.

“I look forward to whanau following their children, taking a close interest in their education at home and wherever they are engaged in learning, demanding success and transferring the success of kaupapa Maori education into the whole of New Zealand’s education system,” said Dr Sharples.