Te Marautanga Pioneering Document For Maori Ed

NZEI RELEASE

26th September 2008

Te Marautanga Hailed As Pioneering Document For Maori Education

NZEI Te Riu Roa says teachers in kura kaupapa and bi-lingual units will embrace the Maori medium curriculum Te Marautanga o Aotearoa as it gives them the clear direction they have been waiting for.

The Maori medium curriculum was launched in Wellington today by the Maori Affairs and Association Education Minister Parekura Horomia.

It sets the direction for the thousands of students in bi-lingual Maori units and total immersion schools, where te reo Maori is used for all teaching and learning.

NZEI Miro Maori members who make up the majority of teachers in those schools, have been involved in the development of Te Marautanga. They say it is a pioneering and world-leading document because it is not a translation but is written in te reo and from a completely indigenous perspective.

NZEI Matua Takawaenga, Laures Park says "kaiako in kura kaupapa and bi-lingual units will be able to take clear direction from it, map out their students' learning and decide what kind of outcomes they want for them. It can also be accessed by students in mainstream schools and is a vision for our children."

However she says it will require adequate resourcing and professional development for teachers and principals, if it is to be successfully implemented.

ENDS

© Scoop Media