Boycott of classes called for

Press, 17 April 1984, Page 2

Boycott of classes called for

PA Hamilton School pupils and teachers throughout New Zealand have been asked to boycott classes on June 1 in protest about the absence of Maori values in the education system. A hui of about 1000 Maoris, secondary school teachers and pupils at Huntly’s Waahi marae at the week-end decided on the day of protest on the initiative of the pupils present. The hui had been called by the Post-Primary Teachers’ Association to discuss Maori education issues, notably the high failure rate among Maori children and

the absence of taha Maori (Maori values) in the education system. The students’ spokesman, Miss Joyce Maipi, a former Huntly College pupil, said the day of protest could take the form of discussion in schools of Maori education issues. She acknowledged that June 1 was chosen because that was the deadline the Minister of Education, Mr Wellington, has set for submissions on the proposed secondary core curriculum review. Educators say it does not give enough time for submissions to be prepared. Maoris at the hui were angry to learn that the

review was drafted by a group without a Maori representative. A Pukekohe youth worker, Mr Tahuna Minhinnick, said, “The system can and must include Maori values as an integral part of teaching and learning.” He said the protest could be repeated once a month until taha Maori was accepted and implemented in the education system.

Mr Minhinnick said the Maori values he would like to see taught in schools were those pertaining to kawa (protocol), land, whakapapa (genealogy), taha wairua (spiritual values), tapu, crafts, history, and the Maori language.