Community Education

This NPF research project examines good organisational practice that supports Pacific learners to succeed in tertiary education using the Kakala Research Framework.  The research will enable tertiary institutions to understand what can be done in order to achieve, sustain and reproduce Pasifika student success. This research will have significant positive impacts on educational institutions and Pasifika learners:

1) By shifting attention from negative and deficit explanations of Pasifika student achievement to a focus on exemplars of success. The research will benefit Pasifika learners as there will be clear stories of success that will help to inform theory and practice.
2) As a result of reporting learning exemplars, institutions can be inspired to improve and strengthen their own policy frameworks, actions and practices. Consequently, learners will benefit from more exerted efforts from a strength-based approach to educational success.
3) The tertiary environment will gain a more in-depth insight into the realities and aspirations of Pasifika learners and their communities.
 

This project evaluated the effectiveness of marae and community-based Mātauranga Māori programmes provided through community education in the Taranaki region.