The Government’s Māori Education Action Plan: A Commitment to Closing the Gap

The New Zealand Government has released its long-awaited Māori Education Action Plan, which outlines its approach to delivering better outcomes in the classroom for Māori students. The plan aims to address the persistent disparities in educational outcomes faced by Māori students.

Supporting Te Reo Māori Teaching

The plan includes a commitment to develop resources to support te reo Māori teaching, with a focus on improving teacher training and professional development. This is a crucial step towards revitalizing the use of te reo Māori in schools and promoting linguistic diversity.

Structured Literacy and Numeracy

The plan also includes a commitment to implement structured literacy and numeracy programs, which will provide Māori students with better access to high-quality educational resources. This is an important step towards closing the gap in academic achievement between Māori and non-Māori students.

Increasing Availability of Te Reo Māori Education

The plan outlines a commitment to explore options for increasing the availability of te reo Māori education for teachers, which will help to address the shortage of qualified te reo Māori educators.

“The Government is committed to driving this change,” said Education Minister Erica Stanford. “Just 12 percent of Māori in English medium settings are at the curriculum benchmark in maths by the time they reach Year 8. In Term 2, only 39 percent of students in English medium settings attended school regularly.”

A Focus on Whānau Engagement

The plan also places a strong emphasis on the importance of whānau engagement in a child’s learning. The Ministry of Education will explore options with the Social Investment Agency to provide alternative education programs and partner with iwi to strengthen whānau involvement.

“We want to continue supporting the important role whānau play in a child’s learning,” said Minister Stanford. “We also want to continue supporting the important role whānau play in a child’s learning.”

Conclusion

The Māori Education Action Plan is a significant step towards addressing the disparities faced by Māori students in New Zealand’s education system. By providing resources and support for te reo Māori teaching, implementing structured literacy and numeracy programs, and prioritizing whānau engagement, the Government is committed to driving change and improving outcomes for all students.

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