July 16, 2015
Maori success onus placed on mainstream
Universities and polytechnics are being told they need to do more to ensure Maori learners can succeed in their institutions.
The issue was raised at the latest Tuia Te Ako, the annual hui run by Ako Aotearoa – the National Centre for Tertiary Teaching Excellence.
Ako deputy director Maori Ngahiwi Apanui says because almost half of Maori come out of secondary school with no qualifications, so if they get to tertiary they need to learn the foundations for successful study.
"Mainstream tertiary educators are woefully under-prepared to cater for them and so when they turn up they have no idea because they are used to dealing with Pakeha who are there to learn, not Maori and PI who are there because they have been told if they don't go there they could end up in jail or have their dole cut," he says.
Mr Apanui says tertiary institutions need to listen to Maori educators about what works for their tauira, and they need to give Maori a greater say at governance level.
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