December 11, 2023
Reo needed for all teachers
A veteran Māori educator says ACT leader David Seymour’s dismissal of mainstream teachers learning te reo Māori is driven by racism rather than educational science.
Mr Seymour says while ACT supports teachers in Māori medium schools and kura kaupapa to study te reo Māori, it’s a waste of resources including it as a professional development option for other teachers.
Pat Newman, the principal of Horohoro Middle School in Whangarei, says 95 percent of Māori children are in mainstream schools, and they need to be given every opportunity to become familiar with their language and culture in that setting.
“It is absolutely crucial that the momentum we have gained in the last 10 years doesn’t just continue but increases, rather than having to be dismantled by someone who is nothing short of being a downright racist,” he says.
Mr Newman says teachers don’t get paid bonuses for learning te reo Māori, but they do get paid for qualifications and experience relating to their jobs.