Education Intervention Stage Two Funding Announced

PRESS RELEASE

9/5/12

Education Intervention Stage Two Funding Announced

ASB Community Trust has announced more than $4 million in grants for five organisations working to overcome underachievement in education for Māori and Pacific youth in Auckland and Northland.

The grants are part of a $20m intervention funded by the Trust, entitled the Māori and Pacific Education Initiative (MPEI).

“We have been looking for innovative community projects that aim to address increased academic achievement of Māori and Pacific students in the education system,” says Trust CEO Jennifer Gill.

“We wanted to fund projects that are scalable and replicable, with potential to impact on future changes in education policies and infrastructure for the betterment of Māori and Pacific students.”

The Trust has been working since 2006 to find and fund community organisations with the skills and vision to turn around the educational statistics, she says.

“Hard facts and academic research proved beyond doubt that educational achievement is critical for the wellbeing and prosperity of Māori and Pacific Island communities, as well as

the entire nation,” Ms Gill says. “Put simply, it is in New Zealand’s long-term social, cultural and economic interests to address these vexing problems. We are actively investing in the people and future workforce of our region.”

In stage one of the project, $12 million was allocated to fund six groups for up to five years. With the latest announcement, a total of 11 groups have now been funded. Ms Gill says that, in total, the Trust has committed $20 million to the MPEI project – which is more than the Trust has ever committed to a single initiative.

In making decisions, the Trust considered MPEI’s guiding principles and looked for projects that have:

• Strategic relevance – projects must advance Māori and Pacific engagement in citizenship through education
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• Evidence of innovation and sustainability
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• Outcomes that can be measured
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• The potential to be replicated and scaled up
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• A basis of partnership and self-help
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• Evidence of community ownership
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• The organisational capacity to deliver
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The latest MPEI grant recipients are:

The Starpath Project

This pioneering research project focuses on transforming educational outcomes for students who are currently under-achieving at secondary school and are under-represented in tertiary education. Starpath aims to address New Zealand’s comparatively high rate of educational inequality with Māori and Pacific Island students, and students from low socio-economic backgrounds demonstrating significant rates of educational under-achievement compared with their peers. The Trust’s grant is for $1.5 million over 5 years, which will be matched by the Government under the Partnership for Excellence programme.

Computer Clubhouse Trust

The Computer Clubhouse Trust has launched a Hi-Tech Youth Academy at Otara’s Clubhouse 274. Aimed at young people aged 16-24 from decile 1-3 schools, the academy helps students develop skills in digital production and film making, animation, 3D gaming, visual design and robotics. The Trust’s grant is for $625,000 over three years.

Maclaurin Chapel

The Maclaurin Leaders Programme for 30 young and emerging ethnic leaders at Auckland University, combines personal growth, leadership and scholarship with service to the community. Key commitments for participants include social justice; civic engagement; community development;, spiritual exploration; respect for diversity; and development of an international perspective. The results aim to show the impact high values and ideals can have on the community and society in general. The Trust’s grant is for $110,000 over four years.

Te Wananga o Aotearoa Student Pipeline Project

The Student Pipeline Project helps to guide Māori students through education and into meaningful cadetships, apprenticeships and internship opportunities while they are still studying. Managed by Te Wananga o Aotearoa, the Pipeline Project is a joint initiative by tertiary providers who want to help address Māori participation and under-achievement in tertiary education in Auckland. The Trust’s grant is for $647,500 over five years

Manaiakalani Education Trust

The Manaiakalani project uses e-learning and digital media to better meet the needs of Māori and Pacific students and their families. Using internet-enabled personal net books, students use cloud computing to access learning anywhere, any time, and from any place. Teachers at seven Auckland schools have joined the project, applying the new teaching methods which are fundamental to the programme’s success.The Trust’s grant is for $1.2 million over three years.

More information on MPEI is online at: www.asbcommunitytrust.org.nz/education-initiative

(ENDS)

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