Programme better equips teachers and Pasifika preschoolers

New programme better equips teachers to work with Pasifika preschoolers

2 October 2018

Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood New Zealand is pleased to announce a new level 5 qualification with a specific Pasifika focus.

The New Zealand Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (Pasifika) programme has been designed to provide an understanding of Pasifika cultures and ways of learning, with a strong emphasis on Pasifika views of the child and child rearing practices.

Te Rito Maioha chief executive, Kathy Wolfe said, “We developed this programme in response to the recent spate of tertiary education providers discontinuing programmes that cater specifically for the Pasifika early childhood education context. This is a real concern to us, as we know there is a growing need for more people working in early learning settings to be better able to respond appropriately to Pasifika children and families.

“Our level 5 programme will be of interest to people who work in Pasifika early childhood centres or who teach Pasifika children in mainstream centres. There are also opportunities for progression, with recognition of prior learning, to a level 7 initial teacher education programme for students who meet the entry criteria.

“And critically, by offering this programme we are helping to ensure that knowledge of Pasifika culture in the early childhood education context is shared and applied. Fai’aki e ‘ilo ‘oua ‘e fai’aki e fanongo – Do it by knowing, not by hearing.”

Te Rito Maioha is currently in the process of obtaining approval from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority for the new qualification.

“We are confident we will receive NZQA’s approval to deliver this programme from early 2019, so much so that we are already taking applications,” said Ms Wolfe.

Prospective students are encouraged to contact Te Rito Maioha on 0800-244-532 orstudentservices@ecnz.ac.nz to apply, or to visit the website for more information www.ecnz.ac.nz.

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