"Ka Hikitia – Managing for Success", the new Māori Education strategy for 2008-2012 has received overwhelming support from the education sector. We have received 1731 orders for the strategy since the launch and a further 241 orders since the recent media attention. This is in addition to the documents sent to the education sector.
Here are a couple of responses from principals that reflects the general response we have had from many principals around the country – ones that don’t make it into the media.
“I have just been reflecting on some of the comments I have heard in regard to the packs sent out to get Ka Hikitia out there ….. These people need to seriously look at why they are in education. In wearing these badges which I have done since receiving them I have had only positive comments about them. I have even given badges to students at their bequest so that they could wear them. If we get dialogue between learners and teachers, surely that is a win/win for us all. Oku nei whakaaro noa iho."
“I would like to express support for the Ka Hikitia badge campaign. We have found that when students in our college saw the badges, they wanted them. This has caused positive discussion amongst our Maori students and as such, there has been a request from many of them to see if we could access any surplus badges on their behalf. If this is possible, it would be greatly appreciated.”
Of course, there have been some principals who have expressed disappointment in the buttons in the context of school resourcing, and would rather the money be given directly to their schools. Principals are not being asked to do anything additional but rather differently based on what the evidence tells us works with and for Maori learners. For example, to explicitly recognise that identity, language and culture count, as it does for others in our education system.
The Maori Education Strategy draws attention to the evidence to inform planning and delivery in the future.
Please tell us how you are planning to implement the actions from "Ka Hikitia – Managing for Success" in your school. Email ka.hikitia@minedu.co.nz.