Iwi Advocate Welcomes Budget 2013 Spend On Maori Education

Nga Kaikokiri Matauranga is pleased to see the Government has heeded many of the calls iwi have been making to improve Maori educational achievement.

“There’s still a long way to go but Budget 2013 is a step in the right direction,” says Awanui Black, spokesperson for Nga Kaikokiri Matauranga.

“With the enduring statistic of one in three Maori learners leaving school with no qualification, it is vital for the future of iwi and the communities they live in, that the education system succeeds for all children.

“We are pleased to see the increased investment in education and the alignment with iwi education priorities.”

Mr Black said NKM was particularly pleased to know that in the budget there will be more investment in:

·           Early childhood education to support increased participation of Maori children
·           Lifting teacher quality
·           Te reo Maori regeneration and culture
·           Maori medium workforce
·           Working with private training establishments as a vehicle for addressing the gap between Maori and non-Maori school leaving statistics
·           Maori trade training and cadetships

Nga Kaikokiri Matauranga is a newly formed advocacy group which speaks on educational matters for 60 iwi organisations delivering education and training programmes. They are also the technical advisory group on education to the Iwi Chairs Forum. NKM has developed strategies to lift Maori educational achievement and is working with the Ministry of Education on this work.

ENDS

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