Boost for status and value of te reo Maori

NZEI says new curriculum guidelines for te reo Maori in mainstream schools will help boost the value and status of the language for all NZers.

The first ever Maori language curriculum for mainstream schools has been launched by the education minister. They are intended to help every English-medium school in NZ design and shape a curriculum that includes te reo Maori.

NZEI welcomes the guidelines, saying they will give both students and teachers an opportunity to learn and use te reo at every level. Many teachers already include some te reo in their classrooms but have been limited to the basics.

These curriculum guidelines will not only broaden children’s learning but will support teachers in learning new skills and improving their own knowledge as well.

NZEI Matua Takawaenga Laures Park, says initially the guidelines were only going to focus on year eight students as part of the learning languages area of the curriculum. She says NZEI was adamant that that focus should be broadened.

“It’s great to see that the end result is more inclusive and curriculum guidelines will cover all NZ school children from years one to 13. The intention should always be to support te reo Maori and tikanga Maori across the board,” she says.

“The curriculum guidelines may also provide a springboard for students to choose to become more fluent and are a solid first step in raising the value and status of te reo Maori in society at large.”