March 27, 2014
Maori literacy critical for country
Adult literacy experts are warning that lifting Maori adult literacy and numeracy are critical for New Zealand’s future.
The National Centre of Literacy and Numeracy for Adults is holding hui around the country over the next three months to develop a Maori literacy strategy.
It says an international survey completed in New Zealand in 2006 found that 70 percent of Maori adults did not meet minimum world standards for literacy and numeracy.
Project coordinator Keith Ikin says that the growth of the Maori economic base over the last five years has been significant but future growth will be dependent on a Maori workforce with high level skills and expertise.
He says New Zealand’s future will depend on its ability to innovate and develop value added options for exports to markets around the world.
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