October 17, 2012
Tribunal report vindicates kohanga reo stance
One of the driving forces of the kohanga reo movement says the Waitangi Tribunal's report will be a shot in the arm for the movement.
The tribunal has found the decision to treat the Maori immersion preschools under the same framework as other early childhood education centres failed to provide for the unique role and contribution of kohanga reo in preserving Maori language and culture.
Trustee and former chair Dame Iritana Tawhiwhirangi says when oversight passed from the old Department of Maori Affairs to the Ministry of Education, the focus shifted from kaumatua and whanau engagement to issues like teacher training and building quality.
"I think they thought they were doing us a favour, but in fact they virtually killed the spirit. They changed the involvement of the parents who said 'well leave it to the kaiako.' What we need to do now is talk, ourselves and the Crown, is just talk about how we can get it all together again without killing each other off," she says.
Te Kohanga Reo Trust Board has asked for a meeting with the Prime Minister, Education and Maori Affairs Ministers to discuss the Tribunal’s recommendations.