Thursday 22nd Jul 1999
Donna Awatere Huata
Media Release -- Education

ACT Education and Maori Affairs Spokesman Donna Awatere Huata is welcoming the Maori Education Strategy announced today saying Maori are leading innovation in education.

Mrs Huata said Maori have the only charter schools in the country which began with Kohunga Reo in the pre-school sector. Maori are now following that in primary and secondary education with the Kura Kaupapa movement.

"Kura Kaupapa are opening up the charter school initiative for the rest of the country. Having learnt the lessons from Maori in setting up charter schools we must move urgently to give the same opportunities for all New Zealand children.

"One of the most successful initiatives both here and in the United States for lifting the educational performance of children from ethnic minorities and children from lower socio economic backgrounds is the TIE scheme where parents can choose the school that best meets the needs of their child.

"I am very glad that TIE funding for Maori children was announced in this year's budget. Every child in New Zealand should have the same opportunity to attend the school that best meets their needs.

"The much needed innovation in education is being driven by Maori.

"The reason we urgently need such innovation for all children to ensure excellence in education is because the State system is now so desperate," said Donna Awatere Huata.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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