Throwing a few crumbs at the Books in Homes project and a research project claiming they are a ‘big boost to literacy’ shows the Government’s total lack of understanding of the extent of reading failure among Maori and Pacific Island children, according to ACT Education Spokesman Donna Awatere Huata.

“Throwing money at the problem is easy for Trevor Mallard. It’s a bit rich for him to now say he’s doing something to address illiteracy when he has spent the last two months trying to undermine and shut down the vital Select Committee inquiry into reading,” she said.

Donna Awatere Huata said New Zealand had become a world leader in programmes to try to address illiteracy but said the real work needed was to get back to being number one at teaching children to read in the first place.

“It’s about getting back to the fundamentals and making sure that the teaching methods being used are effective for Maori and Pacific island children,” said Donna Awatere Huata.

ENDS

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