April 30, 2018
Lessons learned as Kohanga rebuilds
The new deputy chair of Te Kohanga National Trust says the Maori immersion early childhood education provider is heading into exciting times.
Daniel Proctor is the first graduate of kohanga reo to take a seat on the board, and his elevation is aright the movement is now seeking a fresh start after being dominated for years by an entrenched executive.
He says the movement faces challenges, with education policy settings and inequitable funding still holding it back as other early childhood providers gain ground, but he’s confident it can move ahead after a few tough years.
"Let’s learn from that and how can this new group take that and move forward. We need to grow the kaupapa and that’s a core message I want to send out to the motu, that the kaupapa is yours, let’s grow it, let’s develop it, and let’s revitalise that potential our pakeke saw in the 1980s," Mr Proctor says.
He says signing up for kohanga reo in Gisborne changed not just his life but the lives of his whole family with his parents eventually developing careers in Maori education.
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