February 28, 2013
Charter schools way out of shameful failure
A group representing 60 iwi education and training providers is urging MPs to back charter schools.
Ngā Kaikokiri Mātauranga spokesperson Awanui Black says many iwi see charter or partnership schools as a way to stop the education system’s shameful and continued failure of Māori children.
He says it’s not the only way, but iwi want the option of a state-funded, privately-run school.
Mr Black says while kura and other Māori-medium schools worked closely with their local hapū and iwi, the majority of mainstream schools did not.
The Iwi Education Authority, Te Maru ō Ngā Kura-ā-Iwi ō Aotearoa, which represents 23 iwi-run Māori Immersion Schools, made a plea for charter schools to Parliament's Education and Science Select Committee this week.
Its spokesperson Pem Bird, who is also the president of the Māori Party, said Māori and Pasifika groups are keen to set up charter or partnership schools to lift their children's educational performance.
He said iwi believe they can have more influence in charter schools and push for higher achievement.
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