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A pre-budget stoush has broken out between the Mana and Māori parties about support for charter schools.
Mana leader Hone Harawira says the publicly funded, privately run schools are a direct attack on kura kaupapa, which are one of the most successful educational initiatives for Māori by Māori.
He says if today’s budget doesn’t include similar levels of funding for kura kaupapa as the new charter schools, it’s a sign of Māori Party failure.
"The thing is charter schools have never been proven anywhere in this country and kura kaupapa have proven to be far better providing successful educational outcomes for Māori students than mainstream, so we already have a proven record in kura kaupapa Māori. You'd have to think the Māori Party got a real big whack for kura kaupapa. If they haven't then they have sold kaupapa Māori down the toilet," he says.
Māori Party Co-leader Tariana Turia says Mr Harawira is full of hot air, and the proposed kura hourua partnership schools are being backed by Māori educators as an opportunity to serve Māori learners better.
Copyright © 2013, Uma Broadcasting Ltd
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