Govt seeks advice on how to get more teachers using you reo Māori at school

Government requests expert advice in Maori language on how to get more teachers talking

Kelvin Davis
Photo: RNZ / Jessie Chiang

Associate Minister of Education, Kelvin Davis, interviewed 12 experts in Wellington, committing to one of the Maori educational initiatives reported in the budget of this year.

Kelvin Davis said the first initiative, Te Ahu o te reo Māori, would improve teachers. "We want them to have the confidence and skill to integrate Maori into their lessons, [and] to normalize Mao Maori in the classroom."

This initiative would be aimed at all teachers, but especially those in primary school.

"It is to help teachers to be confident in the teaching of Maori."

Demand and willingness to learn existed. integrate te reo into the program by 2020.

"We want all New Zealanders to feel that Maori are only a normal part of our lives and that we can change language. as we see fit. "

The other initiative, Te Kawa Matakura, will work to strengthen the teo and mātauranga (knowledge) Māori of youth who already have some skill.

million. Davis said that his first thoughts would be to target Rangatahi (younger generation) who already embody tikanga ("procedure" and Mātauranga.

"We are looking for ways to enable them to do this so that they can become our leaders in future, confident and competent in the Maori world. "

Sir Timoti Karetu was one of the Hui experts said that the government should consider developing a teacher training program.

" Up to 39 that we meet this need, I do not think it's so easy to do. "

was optimistic that teachers could incorporate you into the classroom.

" I hope that there was a willingness on the part of teachers who are Maori, Māori in belief, Māori in education and that kind of things.

"If there are enough, I think that it will work but for the moment is a limited number with no impor What skill. "

Both initiatives received $ 16 million over the next four years.