November 05, 2020
Teaching Council face up to racism challenge
The Teaching Council says it is already addressing concern that too many young teachers are coming into the workforce with racist attitudes.
Former Principals Federation president Whetu Cormick told Radio Waatea that in his current mahi as a school advisor he sees too many new teachers who are biased and racist.
Teaching Council chief executive Lesley Hoskin says teacher education programmes are being overhauled with a distinct focus on cultural competency.
New requirements issues by the council in 2019 for how tertiary education providers design and deliver teacher education programmes includes further development of the use of te reo and tikanga Māori.
Teachers must commit to developing and practising te reo me ngā tikanga Māori to be granted a practising certificate.
The benefits of these changes will be seen as early as 2021 when graduates of these new programmes will enter schools, but a majority of graduates will be in schools, kura and centres from 2025.
She says teachers have a unique opportunity to make change in a systematically unfair and racist society.
Copyright © 2020, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com