February 01, 2017
Greens commit to school reo until Year 10
The Green Party says it’s working on a comprehensive plan to achieve universal te reo Maori in all public schools.
Maori development spokesperson Marama Davidson says the survival of te reo Maori is still not assured, with under 4 percent of New Zealanders able to speak the language.
She says introducing all children to it at school is one of the best ways to assure its survival.
Learning a second language has proven benefits for children, as does Maori students being immersed in their own culture.
The party has launched a petition to support the call, and will be engaging with parents, tangata whenua and the education sector this year to develop a policy on how to ensure every New Zealand kid will learn te reo Maori up until Year 10.
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