Canterbury teachers too negative
Lincoln University’s assistant vice chancellor Maori says too many teachers still hold negative attitudes about their Maori students.
Maori educators in Canterbury are concerned the region has the highest rate of suspensions and stand-downs for Maori students in the country, and the fourth lowest rate of Maori achievement in schools.
Hirini Matunga says a negative attitude to Maori and Maori kids can be a self-fulfilling prophecy.
“I think that’s where one of the problems is, teachjing the teachers of our children to better understand their Maori students, to understand how they tick, and hopefully take a positive attitude to them and their learning,” associate professor Matunga says.
SEAT STANCE LINKED TO SETTLEMENTS
National's Maori affairs co-spokesperson Geogina te Heuheu says her party's policy to scrap Maori seats is a trade off for treaty settlements.
National plans to kick off the constitutional process for ending the seats in 2014, if it is in power.
Mrs te Heuheu says that's a realistic timetable.
“It makes sense to link it with things like the end of the settlement process, the final conclusion of all claims, by which time hopefully Maori statistics have also improved,” Mrs Te Heuheu says.
POLICY CONFUSED SAYS JONES
But Labour list MP Shane Jones says the only Maori policy National is firm on is getting rid of the Maori seats, and everything else is vague promises.
Mr Jones says Labour has showed leadership by setting a 2008 date for lodging historical claims, but there is no logical connection between claims and Maori political representation.
“Our position is very clear. Maori seats will remain for as long as Maori voters continue to support the seats. I think that the muddle and the confused signals coming from National is just reflective of the fact they have no clear policy,” Mr Jones says.
ROYAL TREAT FOR TE ARAWA
A proud day for the Manahi whanau and the whole of Te Arawa.
That's how the Rotorua Deputy Mayor Trevor Maxwell described this weekend’s formalities at the marae at Ohinemutu to honour Maori Battalion sergeant Haane Manahi.
Prince Andrew presented three taonga to the tribe, including a ceremonial sword from the collection of his grandfather, King George VI.
The Duke of York also attended a service at Sergeant Manahi's graveside, along with surviving members of the 28 Maori Battalion.
“The Duke of York, Prince Andrew, came down to Tamatekapua at Te Papaiouru Marae. It was a proud day, not only for the Manahi family but for the whole of Te Arawa. It was a beautiful day,” Mr Maxwell says.
Prince Andrew was also guest of honour at a ball to mark the event, and yesterday visited the tribe’s sacred island Mokoia in Lake Rotorua.
TERTIARY DROP LINKED TO AXED SCHEMES
Greens education spokesperson Metiiria Tuurei says the drop in Maori studying at tertiary education reflects a drop in Government support.
Ms Turei says cuts to scholarships and subsidies has reversed what had been an historic increase in participation of Maori at tertiary level.
She says in responding to National Party attacks on race-based funding, the government scrapped useful programmes like Manaaki Tauira grants.
“It was incredibly useful, especially for those whom the education system had failed when they were younger and who were wanting to be re-educated at that tertiary level. The Government also cut the SSG grant which gave universities money to help support those Maori students who went through tertiary education,” Ms Turei says.
SCHOOLS TRYING NEW METHODS
A Christchurch educator says Canterbury schools are taking steps to address the underachievement of Maori students, but they take time to get results.
Hirini Mutunga, the vice chancellor Maori at Lincoln University, says the region should be embarrassed by the ongoing under-achievement of Maori students.
He says it’s hard for teachers with little understanding of Maori concepts to get the best out of those students.
Associate professor Matunga says there are things that can be done.
“To be fair I think there are some initiatives that are trying to cut through that. Ngai Tahu has acknowledged that it is a major problem, and they’ve entered into a partnership with the Ministry of Education though a programme called Te Kete o Aoraki to work more closely with schools to assist their Maori students, but these might take a couple of years to kick in,” Mr Matunga says.
BRETT SHOWS CLASS IN CRUSADERS’ CLASH
The national Maori rugby coach is singing the praises of Crusaders’ first five, Stephen Brett, who was a major contributor to the Canterbury team’s 32-10 win over the Bulls in Christchurch over the weekend.
Donny Stevenson says the 21 year old is following in the footsteps of All Black Daniel Carter.
Stephen Brett was born in Waiouru but raised in Christchurch and has ties to Ngati Kahu in the north.
Mr Stevenson says although it's still early days, Brett is has the skills to make it to the top.
“It’s pretty lofty comparison but he’s got a pretty sound game. He’s quick, he’s explosive, he can kick, he can run, so he’s got the full artillery, but it’s his first year in that top level, so time will tell there, but certainly he’s a player for the future,” Mr Stevenson says.
Maori educators in Canterbury are concerned the region has the highest rate of suspensions and stand-downs for Maori students in the country, and the fourth lowest rate of Maori achievement in schools.
Hirini Matunga says a negative attitude to Maori and Maori kids can be a self-fulfilling prophecy.
“I think that’s where one of the problems is, teachjing the teachers of our children to better understand their Maori students, to understand how they tick, and hopefully take a positive attitude to them and their learning,” associate professor Matunga says.
SEAT STANCE LINKED TO SETTLEMENTS
National's Maori affairs co-spokesperson Geogina te Heuheu says her party's policy to scrap Maori seats is a trade off for treaty settlements.
National plans to kick off the constitutional process for ending the seats in 2014, if it is in power.
Mrs te Heuheu says that's a realistic timetable.
“It makes sense to link it with things like the end of the settlement process, the final conclusion of all claims, by which time hopefully Maori statistics have also improved,” Mrs Te Heuheu says.
POLICY CONFUSED SAYS JONES
But Labour list MP Shane Jones says the only Maori policy National is firm on is getting rid of the Maori seats, and everything else is vague promises.
Mr Jones says Labour has showed leadership by setting a 2008 date for lodging historical claims, but there is no logical connection between claims and Maori political representation.
“Our position is very clear. Maori seats will remain for as long as Maori voters continue to support the seats. I think that the muddle and the confused signals coming from National is just reflective of the fact they have no clear policy,” Mr Jones says.
ROYAL TREAT FOR TE ARAWA
A proud day for the Manahi whanau and the whole of Te Arawa.
That's how the Rotorua Deputy Mayor Trevor Maxwell described this weekend’s formalities at the marae at Ohinemutu to honour Maori Battalion sergeant Haane Manahi.
Prince Andrew presented three taonga to the tribe, including a ceremonial sword from the collection of his grandfather, King George VI.
The Duke of York also attended a service at Sergeant Manahi's graveside, along with surviving members of the 28 Maori Battalion.
“The Duke of York, Prince Andrew, came down to Tamatekapua at Te Papaiouru Marae. It was a proud day, not only for the Manahi family but for the whole of Te Arawa. It was a beautiful day,” Mr Maxwell says.
Prince Andrew was also guest of honour at a ball to mark the event, and yesterday visited the tribe’s sacred island Mokoia in Lake Rotorua.
TERTIARY DROP LINKED TO AXED SCHEMES
Greens education spokesperson Metiiria Tuurei says the drop in Maori studying at tertiary education reflects a drop in Government support.
Ms Turei says cuts to scholarships and subsidies has reversed what had been an historic increase in participation of Maori at tertiary level.
She says in responding to National Party attacks on race-based funding, the government scrapped useful programmes like Manaaki Tauira grants.
“It was incredibly useful, especially for those whom the education system had failed when they were younger and who were wanting to be re-educated at that tertiary level. The Government also cut the SSG grant which gave universities money to help support those Maori students who went through tertiary education,” Ms Turei says.
SCHOOLS TRYING NEW METHODS
A Christchurch educator says Canterbury schools are taking steps to address the underachievement of Maori students, but they take time to get results.
Hirini Mutunga, the vice chancellor Maori at Lincoln University, says the region should be embarrassed by the ongoing under-achievement of Maori students.
He says it’s hard for teachers with little understanding of Maori concepts to get the best out of those students.
Associate professor Matunga says there are things that can be done.
“To be fair I think there are some initiatives that are trying to cut through that. Ngai Tahu has acknowledged that it is a major problem, and they’ve entered into a partnership with the Ministry of Education though a programme called Te Kete o Aoraki to work more closely with schools to assist their Maori students, but these might take a couple of years to kick in,” Mr Matunga says.
BRETT SHOWS CLASS IN CRUSADERS’ CLASH
The national Maori rugby coach is singing the praises of Crusaders’ first five, Stephen Brett, who was a major contributor to the Canterbury team’s 32-10 win over the Bulls in Christchurch over the weekend.
Donny Stevenson says the 21 year old is following in the footsteps of All Black Daniel Carter.
Stephen Brett was born in Waiouru but raised in Christchurch and has ties to Ngati Kahu in the north.
Mr Stevenson says although it's still early days, Brett is has the skills to make it to the top.
“It’s pretty lofty comparison but he’s got a pretty sound game. He’s quick, he’s explosive, he can kick, he can run, so he’s got the full artillery, but it’s his first year in that top level, so time will tell there, but certainly he’s a player for the future,” Mr Stevenson says.
posted by Adam | 10:59 pm
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