September 01, 2016
Kohanga Reo looks to future
Kohanga reo staff from around the country have been at the national trust in Wellington this week looking at what they need to do to take the organisation forward.
The movement has been locked in a battle with Education Minister Hekia Parata for three years over its structure and governance that has meant efforts to resolve its Treaty of Waitangi claim have stalled.
Chief executive Kararaina Cribb says it also faces competition from other early childhood education options, and the expections on young working oparents are different to 30 years ago.
She says at it’s heart kohanga must always be about increasing use of te reo Maori.
"What is it we want from Kohanga Reo, what is it that Kohanga Reo provided previously, are we still providing the same things now. We are looking at our kaupapa ki te whakahoungia, to renew the logic of it and provide a better service. To entice whanau to come and grow their reo in their whanau and with their children
Kararaina Cribb says the value of kohanga reo is not just what it does for the children but what it does for mothers and the whole whanau who become involved
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