December 04, 2012
Parata formula for Māori success puts bonus on teachers
The Minister of Education, Hekia Parata, says she's still looking for ways to make the education system work for Māori.
The annual report card on politicians' performance by political newsletter Trans Tasman marked down Ms Parata for a series of gaffes since she took on the portfolio.
But she says since National became government there has been a 7 percent increase in Māori kids getting NCEA, which shows New Zealand's education system can be improved for Māori if the right things are done.
“Māori kids they have to be seen and understood coming from particular cultural backgrounds, that has to be part of the teaching in the classroom. We have to deliver curriculum that is meaningful and relevant, that uses examples from their communities that they can understand and be successful at. The relationship between the student and the teacher is the most critical one and Māori students need to feel they have that same good quality relationship with their teachers," Ms Parata says.
She says National is getting more Māori into preschool education which makes them more ready for school, and it is also creating alternate pathways towards employment after school, rather than expecting all pupils to stay on an academic track.
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