February 11, 2013
Māori language option an economic booster
A Māori education group claims making all English medium schools offer Māori language from years one to 13 will strengthen the New Zealand economy.
Awanui Black from Ngā Kaikokiri Mātauranga says Māori children who learn the language do better academically, financially and socially than those who don’t.
He says the vast majority of Māori students attend English medium schools and almost half of all Māori boys at these schools leave with no qualifications.
Mr Black says he has seen Māori parents inspired to go back to school and find employment or set up their own businesses because of their children learning about their language and culture.
Ngā Kaikokiri Mātauranga, which includes 60 iwi organisations delivering education and training programmes, is the technical advisory group on education to the Iwi Chairs Forum.
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