Politicians Face Spotlight On Maori Education

For Immediate Release June 29, 2007
From NZEI Te Riu Roa Media Advisory

Politicians Face Spotlight on Maori Education Issues at NZEI Te Riu Roa Hui

Politicians will be under the spotlight for their views on enhancing Māori education at the annual meeting of Māori members of the education union NZEI Te Riu Roa in Auckland this weekend.

A political panel featuring Green education spokesperson Metiria Turei MP, National Party MP Tau Henare, NZ First MP Pita Paraone, Maori Party education spokesperson Te Ururoa Flavell MP, and Associate Minister of Education, Labour MP Parekura Horomia (to be confirmed) will take place on Sunday July 1st at 7.30pm.

Key issues for NZEI members include the development of the new curriculum Te Matauranga o Aotearoa, and Māori Teacher Supply. There is a shortage of teachers with te reo Māori fluency within Māori medium education. Proposals to broaden te reo Māori into mainstream schools will create even more pressure on supply.

"A simple first step would be the development of a detailed business case that clearly states the objectives and benefits of increasing the supply of teachers competent in te reo Maori, and charts a course for achieving those objectives," NZEI Te Riu Roa Matua Takawaenga Laures Park says.

The hui, at Te Pa o Manurewa, 81 Finlayson Avenue, Manurewa, Auckland, will also discuss progress on NZEI Te Riu Roa's bi-cultural journey and members' collective agreements. Workshops on Healthy Schools, Formative Assessment, Maori Librarians and other issues will be held during the four day hui, which runs from Saturday June 30-Tuesday July 3.

ENDS

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