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Teachers will be required to learn the Maori language and culture under new rules to be introduced next month, but the Secondary Principals' Association says making it compulsory will cause resentment.
Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples said the Cultural Competency programme would begin to be introduced later this year and would be in every school by the end of 2012.
It requires teachers to study tikanga Maori and te reo during their university studies, training courses and at school.
Sharples said it would also show teachers how to interact with their communities, particularly local iwi and other Maori organisations. He had told Education Minister Anne Tolley about the programme and said she was happy about it. "It's a way of training teachers and involving them in the community and the Maori concept of teaching and learning."
Once implemented, the programme would become part of everyday life in every school, he said. "I went to one school where they asked me in for advice ... I said, `Well, who's the local iwi here?' ... They didn't even know."
Secondary Principals' Association president Patrick Walsh said he supported the concept behind the programme but did not believe it should be compulsory.
"When you make those sort of things mandatory it raises people's hackles and it's far better to persuade them that it's a good idea and to fund it, but to make it compulsory you will end up getting people there who resent being there because they're made to do it."
There was no silver bullet for improving Maori student achievement. It should not be left solely to schools but should be a community and multi-agency approach, he said.
The Cultural Competency programme was similar to recommendations made by the Maori Youth Council, which reported back to Parliament yesterday.
It suggested all future secondary school teachers be required to complete level one courses in te reo and Maori culture while at university, that there be better relationships between schools and communities, and that greater resources be available to current teachers.
Council member Kahurangi Maxwell, 23, from Rotorua, said te reo was a vehicle to understanding culture but was not enough on its own.
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Post new commentPrivileged said on 2011-11-17 @ 20:46 NZDT: Report abusive post
After reading a few of the comments, I feel compelled to express my opinion.. I am an extremely privaleged Pakeha teaching the beautiful Maori language and culture as a secondary school subject. I am horrified at being reminded of the deep ignorance still within this country!! Thankfully the new generation are greatly respectful of the native culture and language. Heart warmingly! So come on adults.. learn a bit about the importance of pride, local history, responsibility, and have a heart!!
Piripi said on 2011-07-13 @ 12:19 NZDT: Report abusive post
Tautoko marika tenei whakaaro a te Minita me to ropu rangatahi Maori nei. Ki te kore te reo Maori e korerotia ana i runga i tenei whenua tonu, ma wai ra atu te reo Maori e tiaki, e pupuri tonu. He taonga marika to tatou reo. Kei runga i te Tiriti o Waitangi i whakaaetia te Kawana kia tiaki nga taonga katoa a te iwi Maori. Koia to tatou reo tetahi o enei taonga. Ka mutu noa! (If you can't understand, this is why Te Reo Maori should be a compulsory part of our education system.)
tanenui said on 2011-06-13 @ 13:40 NZDT: Report abusive post
I think it is important our children learn a second language, but definitely not maori. There are many other languages which would open far more doors. And who speaks maori here anyway? We have 10% Maori, but I am sure not all of them can actually speak it. Education does not stop at school, but continues at home. Parents should read books and do homework with their children (as I do). Seeing it many times, many parents do not do it, they let the kids watch telly or play PS.
1600nz said on 2011-06-12 @ 18:45 NZDT: Report abusive post
If they want to make another language compulsory go for sign language (our other official language) or something like French or Spanish. something that could be used in more than one country. This is completely ridiculous. For once I'm agreeing with Don.
MissK said on 2011-06-12 @ 18:37 NZDT: Report abusive post
I am a secondary English teacher who is not at all opposed to learning Te Reo. However, I think this proposal is misguided - our Maori students are underperforming NOT because their teacher's can't speak Te Reo but because, for most underachievers, their literacy is not up to par. Focusing on teaching all teachers (not just English) how to build literacy would be a much more effective and resourceful use of taxpayer money and teacher time.