Minister launches publication fostering success for Māori tertiary learners
Last Friday the Associate Minister for Education, Hon Dr Pita R Sharples, launched Hei Tauira, an Ako Aotearoa publication that provides a guide to the key factors to be considered in fostering success for Māori in tertiary settings.
Written by Janinka Greenwood and Lynne-Harata Te Aika from the University of Canterbury, the guide summarises the results of their investigation into four exemplars of success in tertiary education from a Māori point of view, and the factors promoting that success.
The four exemplars were selected for the project because they were seen to be largely successful by the students, Māori
communities, and the institutions themselves. They include:
- Te Tai Tokerau, Northern Institute of Technology - cluster of qualifications in social work;
- Toi Houkura, at Tairawhiti Polytechnic - the degree in contemporary Maori art and design;
- Te Wānanga o Raukawa - foundation e-learning programmes; and
- Hoaka Pounamu, University of Canterbury - the Maori bilingual teacher education programme.
“Many tertiary courses for Maori are successful because of the skills, gut instincts and conviction of the people who originally designed and ran them,” said Dr Sharples.
“This report adds science and analysis to the mix. It will help us replicate success in other courses, and evaluate the courses properly to prove their value,” he said.
The findings reveal five overarching principles identified within the four programmes, despite their differences in context and tribal area. They include;
- Toko ā-iwi, ā-wānanga (institutional and iwi support). Each programme demonstrated a level of support both from the in
stitution and local iwi, combined with an on-going process of consultation. - Tikanga (the integration of Māori, and iwi, values and protocols). Deemed as important by all four institutions and teaching staff within the programmes.
- Pūkenga (involvement of suitably qualified leadership and staff). Each programme had strong leaders to forge direction and actively support the development of their staff.
- Ako (development of effective teaching and learning strategies). A respectful and supportive relationship with students was considered very important by teaching staff and students in each programme.
- Huakina te tatau o te whare (opening up the doors to the house – removal of barriers to study). Each institution had its own strategy for addressing other “inhibitors to study” – financial, familial, and organisational problems.
Hei Tauira is supported by Ako Aotearoa – The National Centre for Tertiary Teaching Excellence. The Centre is committed to disseminating the publication and its findings to the wider tertiary audience, as part of its broader strategy for supporting Māori learners. While it is explicitly directed at supporting Maori, tertiary teachers will find useful information relevant to supporting all learners.
Dr Peter Coolbear, Ako Aotearoa Director says “We are delighted to have been able to work in collaboration with the authors and the Ministry of Education to produce this summary guide.”
“It is an easy-access, research-based guide to assist tertiary teachers and organisations to identify ways in which they can support the success of Māori learners in tertiary settings.”
The summary is a synthesis of the full report - Hei Tauira: Teaching and Learning for Success for Māori in Tertiary Settings by Janinka and Lynne-Harata, a Teaching Matters Forum project funded by the Ministry of Education. The summary guide and full report are available via the Ako Aotearoa website: www.akoaotearoa.ac.nz .
Contact:
Jill Tanner-Lloyd
Communications Coordinator
Ako Aotearoa – The National Centre for Tertiary Teaching Excellence
P: 04 801 4989
M: 0275 227 052
E: J.Tanner-Lloyd@massey.ac.nz