Anne Tolley, Pita Sharples 15 October, 2010
Strong support for Ng� Whanaketanga Rumaki M�ori
Education Minister Anne Tolley and Associate Education Minister Dr Pita Sharples say the response to consultation over Ng� Whanaketanga Rumaki M�ori (M�ori-medium National Standards) has been positive and constructive.
Many parents, wh�nau, teachers and principals welcome the introduction of Ng� Whanaketanga Rumaki M�ori according to consultation reports released today.
"Raising the educational success of M�ori students is a Government priority, and the implementation of Ng� Whanaketanga next year is a big step towards improving oral language, reading, writing and maths skills in M�ori-medium schools and settings," says Mrs Tolley.
"During consultation it was widely agreed that Ng� Whanaketanga will support learning among M�ori-medium students, and the development of M�ori-medium education."
Less research and data is available for Maori education than in mainstream schooling, so consultation and information-gathering have helped to ensure the final version of Ng� Whanaketanga are set at the right levels, and align to Te Marautanga o Aotearoa (M�ori-medium curriculum).
"Kura and wh�nau are keen for their children to succeed, and they were pleased to be consulted about Ng� Whanaketanga Rumaki M�ori," says Dr Sharples.
"Questions and concerns were mainly in relation to implementation, such as the support for leaders, teachers, and wh�nau. Feedback from schools, wh�nau, and communities will ensure the final version of Ng� Whanaketanga work well in practice," he says.
"The government is providing $12.6 million over four years to develop support for teachers including assessment tools and a monitoring programme," says Dr Sharples.
"There is a real need to develop assessment tools in oral language, reading and writing for Te Reo and P�ngarau, and to align them to Te Marautanga o Aotearoa."
Between March and August this year, 852 people participated in regional workshops, and 79 groups and individuals sent in written submissions. Around 400 teachers provided feedback on the draft standards, and 43 schools have been involved in information gathering.
Ng� Whanaketanga and the teacher guidelines are being refined and amended, before being launched in the next few weeks and implemented in 2011.
The consultation reports are available at: www.minedu.govt.nz/NgaWhanaketanga
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