Last Minute Changes To Education And Training Act Leave Ākonga Māori Behind

The Mātauranga Iwi Leaders Group (ILG) has expressed concern and disappointment at the Government’s decision to further water down requirements for school boards to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, despite consistent advice against doing so from iwi leaders.

“The Government’s amendments to the Education and Training Amendment Bill No. 2 remove any ambition to achieve equitable outcomes for ākonga Māori in primary and secondary education” says Rahui Papa, co-chair of Mātauranga ILG.

“Mātauranga ILG has consistently advised the Government against taking the very action it has announced. It is clear that advice has fallen on deaf ears.

“For the past year, the Government has been seeking feedback on proposals to demote the requirement to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi to a secondary objective of school boards, which we have consistently opposed.

“However, rather than seeing how fundamentally flawed its proposal is, they have doubled down, and are now proposing to remove this requirement entirely. In doing so, the Government has decided to give school boards an easy way out to ignore the needs of tamariki Māori.”

Mātauranga ILG Lead Technician, Maxine Graham, says that whānau, hapū and iwi have the expertise to improve literacy, numeracy and achievement positive outcomes, but it can only be done if serious support is put in place to engage whānau Māori as contributors in shaping successful education systems.

“Our tamariki thrive when their education experience is culturally responsive and community led, and that’s why earlier this year we delivered our Whakapapa Decisions campaign to encourage Māori participation in school boards” says Maxine.

“We want to see more support for whānau Māori to be involved in shaping education, such as taking up leadership positions in education governance, to ensure support for our ākonga is tailored for success.

“If the Government truly wants to close the growing gap in educational achievement, they must withdraw their last minute amendments to the Education and Training Act and ensure that equitable outcomes for Māori students is a primary objective of school boards.”

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