The Government’s Māori Education Action Plan: A New Approach to Better Outcomes

The Government has released its Māori Education Action Plan, which outlines its approach to delivering better outcomes in the classroom for Māori students. The plan aims to address the significant disparities faced by Māori students in terms of education, with a focus on improving literacy, numeracy, and overall academic performance.

Key Commitments of the Plan

The action plan includes several key commitments, including:

• Developing resources to support te reo Māori teaching
• Implementing structured literacy and numeracy programs
• Exploring options for increasing the availability of te reo Māori education for teachers

Education Minister Erica Stanford stated that while many Māori students achieve excellent results, on average Māori experience worse outcomes. She noted that just 12 percent of Māori in English medium settings are at the curriculum benchmark in maths by the time they reach Year 8.

Early Actions and Future Plans

The plan outlines early actions to support the achievement of Māori students in English medium schools, strengthen Māori medium education, and a commitment to working with leaders and representative groups of kaupapa Māori education. These early actions will provide teachers with resources and professional development they need to bring the curriculum to life in their classrooms.

Stanford emphasized that the next phase of work will focus on teacher training to support the workforce of the future. She also highlighted the importance of whānau engagement in a child’s learning, stating that the Ministry of Education will explore options with the Social Investment Agency on alternative education and partner with iwi to strengthen whānau engagement.

A Call to Action

Stanford concluded by emphasizing that this is just the start of a long-term commitment to improving Māori education outcomes. She will draw on the advice and guidance of her Māori Education Ministerial Advisory Group as she develops and augments the plan, ensuring that all New Zealand children benefit from a world-leading education.

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