Maori link ‘uncertain’

Press, 28 April 1989, Page 7

Maori link ‘uncertain’

By

OLIVER RIDDELL

in Wellington

There is not enough co-ordination between the various groups working in Maori education, according to the Minister of Maori Affairs, Mr Wetere.

He told a Kohanga Reo education forum in Wellington yesterday that there was a strong case for an organisation to monitor Maori education from preschool to tertiary levels.

Although the new Ministry of Maori Affairs would have a broad monitoring role on all issues of Maori policy, there was a specific need for an education authority to monitor and survey Maori education. - Such an authority could also co-ordinate the efforts of organisations which helped Maori education, such as the Maori Education Foundation and the Maori Purposes Board, Mr Wetere said. The concept was still being developed, but it would enhance the standing of Maori education and the long-term development of Maoris generally.

An example of the uncertain linkage was that between kohanga reo and primary school where Maori language skills were often lost because language opportunities were not there.

That lack of coordination extended from primary to secondary and tertiary levels, and manifested itself in short-term policies and ad hoc, solutions, he said.