MAORI CULTURE IN SCHOOLS

Te Ao Hou, October 1958, Page 18

The place of Maori culture in the schools is a much debated subject today. We are therefore glad to be able to offer readers this authorative statement from the Officer for Maori Education. MAORI CULTURE IN SCHOOLS by K. I. ROBERTSON Maori culture is part of the birth-right of every Maori child. This article will give some first-hand account of what is being done in Maori education to help the children acquire a knowledge of their own cultural background. The school can never keep alive any phase of a national culture without some support from the homes of the people. The schools alone cannot save the Maori language, Maori arts and crafts or Maori song and dance. The Maori people themselves as a race must take the prime responsibility for the perpetuation of their culture or for its passing. This does not however mean that the schools have no responsibility in the matter; their responsibility is very real and policy indicates this in the following resolution passed at the first meeting of the National Committee on Maori Education (1955): “The teaching of Maori culture, including Maori history legends, songs and arts and crafts is necessary for the full personal development of the Maori.” “The Committee supports the teaching of the Maori language and recommends that everything possible be done to implement it.” This policy has been endorsed by the Government. Here is an outline of what is being done.