December 13, 2012
MUMA offers pathway to education for teen mums
The Manukau Urban Māori Authority says a programme to get 20 Māori teen mothers into training has ended up with scores more getting a second chance at education.
A special graduation ceremony is being held at Manukau Institute of Technology today for 140 Māori students who have successfully completed trade training and foundation level courses.
MUMA Chief Executive Willie Jackson says the authority had a contact from Te Puni Kokiri for a small pilot project, but recruited the target number within two days because of the integrated services it offers to Māori individuals and whānau.
It ended up drawing in other mothers, teen fathers and whānau members, putting more than 150 students into MIT since June and supporting them with face to face and group mentoring, personal case management, pastoral care, provision of key support services such as transport and child care, and other whānau ora services.
Mr Jackson says there are more than 3000 Māori teen mothers in South Auckland alone, so programmes that focus on developing Māori youth in the region are critical.
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