January 25, 2015
NZEI calls for reo resources
Primary teachers’ union NZEI Te Riu Roa wants the Government to put more resources into teaching te reo Maori.
New president Louise Green says all New Zealand children should have the opportunity to learn te reo.
She says while it’s a core part of the curriculum, the available resources aren’t up to the demand from both Maori and Pakeha children and their families.
Ms Green says what is needed is a much stronger committment by Government to resource and support teachers and kaiako to improve the education system's ability to meet demand.
That means investing more in initial teacher education, ongoing professional development, employing more resource teachers of Maori, upskilling current educators and ensuring there is wider whanau and adult learning opportunities available.
She says as well as giving children the opportunity to become competent and comfortable in a bi-cultural environment, exposure to languages supports children's learning in other areas.
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