Maori Education

Te Ao Hou, 1972, Page 24

Maori Education by Canon John Tamahori, B.A., L.Th. Much has been written about the ‘problems’ of Maori education. I am not an expert on Maori education; what I do know is the result of my own experience and of deep conviction that ‘education’ is one of the ‘great influences’ that society has to mould its citizens. To me, we should not consider education as a ‘separate’ entity, but as part of the total life — cultural, social, economic and religious — of mankind. I suspect compartmenting is what we are doing with Maori education. When state aid to private schools was announced, there was a spate of protests, and more when the ‘special case of Maori private schools’ was to receive special consideration. Such outbursts are foolish. The Maori or the predominantly Maori schools are not selective schools or schools that cater for a certain class of people; nor do they give a better type of education (curriculum-wise) to Maoris. Their only assets are their environment; the interest and the controlled discipline that is maintained, supported by understanding and religious teaching. I would like to see Government set up boarding schools in areas where there is a great population of Maoris and Polynesians or set up hostels to meet these needs. I agree with some of the remarks of the principal of Hillary College, Auckland, about his claims for aid for his school. To me, the problem of the Maori child in all our schools is due to many factors. It is not an intellectual one or the lack of equal opportunity in education. Historically, there was a time when Maoris hungered after education. There was a time when there were more literate Maoris than expatriates. There was a time when the social climate in many of our provinces was excellent. The New Zealand wars of the 1860s halted all these developments. Economically, the Maoris had acres of wheat for milling; in the Waikato this was the situation — some of these fields were ready for harvest when they were confiscated. The New Zealand wars bet the clock back in the general progress of the race. The wounds were gradually healed by the labours of educated Maori men and women and by understanding Europeans. The Second World War and the exploits of the Maori Battalion have been of tremendous influence in raising the prestige of the race. Indeed, it was their Pakeha brothers who recognized their worth. Political changes and the policy of equality ushered in by the Labour Government were additional factors in this new renaissance. The beginnings of a ‘new migration’ started at this time — urbanization. Migration for any people is always an upheaval — socially, economically, culturally. For Maoris — this is so too. To me the city is where many of our problems lie. Our people, prior to the 1966 census, were rurally orientated. I would not be far out if I say that the latest census would show our population to be over 60% in the cities. For the first time for many of them, they have a totally new life — more money more household aids, cars, etc. Both parents may be working; sometimes all the family members are working and they have more time to do what they like. In many cases, they neglect many of the values that society wants. Many Maori families are coping with the situation, many are not. I would appeal for tolerance and patience. I would appeal to our own people — to look hard at this matter and help to correct it, before it gets out of hand. Already straws are in the wind that suggest where they are going. I pray that we will be spared strife and violence. This is our land, which we all love — we have all given much for it. Let us try to work for the good of all her people — educationally, socially, economically and religiously. Canon Tamahori was until recently chaplain at Te Aute College, Pukehou, Hawke's Bay, and is lecturing at St. John's Theological College, Auckland, presenting ‘the Maori point of view’ to priests in training.