Pre-school Training One of the ways in which you can improve your child's readiness to begin primary school on the same level with European children is to give your child pre-school training. There is no doubt that all children gain from pre-school experiences. It takes some months to settle into a primary school if the child has no pre-school experience. The child has to learn what a desk, a blackboard, a piece of chalk, a teacher, a book, a duster is, and this takes up valuable time. But all this can be learnt before the child goes to school, at a kindergarten or a play centre. It is advisable for the mother to attend the local play centre as well, so that she can get a better insight into child upbringing.

Attendance at Primary School Most lessons at primary and secondary schools lead on from the previous lesson and so it is vitally important that every child attends school regularly. Any absenteeism is likely to make the child even more ‘disadvantaged’. No child can learn effectively without the help and encouragement of the school and the parents. It is, therefore, necessary for the parents to join forces with the school. Parent-Teacher meetings and any parental visits to the school are vitally necessary, not only for the parents to learn what is being taught, so that they can help their children at home, but also for the children's sake as they obtain a tremendous amount of encouragement when they know their parents are interested in their school life. I have also found that children are selfconscious about their clothes and their lunches, particularly if these items are not as good as those of the other children. Again, their self-respect is damaged, and this affects their school work and their mental processes. Every possible situation should be checked to ensure your child starts off and continues to be an ‘advantaged’ child at all levels of educational training.

The Place of Maoritanga I think that all Maori children should be taught at home and at school the basic understanding of Maoritanga and a greater fluency in Maori language. I say this because it is necessary for their self-respect. There are so many potential Maori leaders who could do much more for our Maori people, if they knew how to speak Maori, since it is the language of the marae. So often I see the hesitant Maori, who could give so much, retire into the background because of this lack of training. If a Maori is educated he is expected by the European and by his own folk to know at least something about himself in regard to Maoritanga.

Secondary School All children attending the local high school must have encouragement from parents. This encouragement takes many forms. It requires a period of talks to the pupil about school life; it requires discussing his work with teachers; it requires attending functions at school; and it requires rigid control of his swotting programme each night. Whether the pupils have any set homework or not, they should be reading over their notes or preparing for the next day. Many Maori parents are perturbed that they cannot help their children at this level because they lack the knowledge. Let me stress the point that even as a university graduate I would never hope to give my child any tuition in his science subjects. But what he will get is a quiet room for at least two hours every night of the week and every possible encouragement from his parents.

Adult Classes It is now possible for adults to attend classes to gain School Certificate and even higher qualifications. I suggest for the good of your children and yourself that you attend these classes and take one or two subjects. I know of a Maori who, in his early 30s sat School Certificate in 1964 and gained very high marks. He is now a junior lecturer at Auckland University. But this is not the only person. A Maori mother with seven children gained her School Certificate and is hoping to attend a teachers' training college. Another Maori lady who gained her supervisor's exam at a play centre is now wanting to start her university degree. There are so many things you can do if you are willing to give yourself a chance.