June 04, 2013
Ka Hikitia hammer for the head
The Education Institute is hoping the Education Ministry will take on board the criticisms of the Audit Office when it relaunches its Ka Hikitia strategy for Māori education.
The office found the programme to lift Māori students’ achievement was dumped on schools without adequate guidance or support, and it was overshadowed by other initiatives like national standards.
Laures Park, NZEI Te Riu Roa’s matua takawaenga, says the programme is worth continuing.
"In itself Ka Hikitia is a good idea but the way it was introduced was very much about 'this is another hammer to hit you on the head so you must do it.' Which invariably means everyone does the opposite until they realise the value of the package. So implementation wasn't good, wasn't clear, people didn't really know what they were expected to do," she says.
Ms Park says the ministry has a poor record of listening to teachers and parents about its ideas.
Copyright © 2013, UMA Broadcasting Ltd