October 06, 2016
Maori literacy challenge tackled
Maori and Pasifika educators today tackled how to improve the literacy and numeracy of their students.
The forum at the Manukau Institute of Technology was sponsored by the Ako Aotearoa, national centre for tertiary teaching excellence, Literacy Aotearoa and the Tertiary Education Commission.
Ako deputy director Joe Te Rito says Maori and Pasifika students are lagging behind, and that is limiting how far they can go in tertiary education and trade training.
"I’m a really strong promoter of te reo Maori but I am starting to realise how, like Ta Apirana Ngata said, 'E tipu e rea mo nga ra o to ao,' we still need to maintain the cultural aspects and the wairua of our tipuna but we must grab at te rakau o te pakeha, we must grab that at technology and get into those skill," he says.
Dr Te Rito says improving literacy can be life changing.
Copyright © 2016, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com