16 February 2009

Media Release

Education statistics gloomy for Māori language regeneration

“The recent release of 2007/08 Ngā Haeata Mātauranga/Annual Report on Māori Education highlights complacency with te reo Māori” says Chief Executive of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (The Māori Language Commission), Huhana Rokx.

A decrease in Māori-medium education enrolments is a key finding noted in the report. Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori is concerned that the statistics are reflecting what other research is showing as complacency overall.

“The situation for the Māori language is still dire. While it can be said that the decline in the language has been halted, there remains a need to grow the native and highly proficient speaking population”, says Huhana Rokx.

Intergenerational transmission is critical for language regeneration and Māori medium education plays a pivotal role in making this happen within Māori homes, however only 15.8% of Māori learners are in Māori medium education.

“Ironically, while the decrease in Māori-medium education is occurring, the statistics also show that Māori-medium learners are well ahead of their mainstream counterparts”, says Huhana Rokx.

Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori will continue to support the other Māori Language Strategy partners, of which the Ministry of Education is one, to promote and lead Māori language re-generation.

ENDS

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