A report on Maori education released today shows while some progress is being made there is a long way to go in achieving Ministry of Education goals and targets, the ministry's chief executive Karen Sewell says.
Ms Sewell said increasing numbers of new entrants were taking part in early childhood education and there had been a steady increase in retention in schools and more Maori students enrolling in and achieving tertiary education.
"However, we are a long way from achieving the goals and targets set in Ka Hikitia - Managing for Success."
Education Minister Anne Tolley said the report showed the beginning of positive gains but "much more hard work lies ahead".
Early childhood education funding announced in the budget to be focused on high priority areas would directly benefit Maori families, Mrs Tolley said.
National standards, the youth guarantee scheme and expansion of the Te Kotahitanga teacher development programme would also help raise achievement, she said.
Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples said the data showed Maori students at secondary schools where teaching and learning was done through Maori language and culture achieved strongly.
A "broad range" of activities were under way to improve the performance of Maori students in mainstream and Maori-medium schools, he said.
Dr Sharples, also Associate Minister of Education, said while the education system was doing better for some Maori students in certain areas the success needed to be more widespread.
NZPA
source: newshub archive
