Government outlines approach to improve Māori student outcomes.
The New Zealand Government has released its Māori Education Action Plan, aiming to deliver better results for Māori students in the classroom. Education Minister Erica Stanford highlighted that 25% of learners in the schooling system are Māori, yet they experience worse outcomes than their peers on average.
According to Ms Stanford, only 12% of Māori students in English Medium settings achieve curriculum benchmarks in maths by Year 8, while 39% attend school regularly. To address this, the plan focuses on supporting Māori students in English Medium settings and strengthening Māori Medium Education.
The Government has already begun refreshing Te Marautanga o Aotearoa to be a world-leading indigenous curriculum and invested in structured literacy in te reo Māori. The next phase of work will provide teachers with the resources and professional development needed to implement the curriculum effectively.
Ms Stanford also emphasized the importance of whānau engagement, stating that the Ministry of Education will explore options for alternative education and partner with iwi to strengthen family involvement. The plan aims to drive positive change and improve outcomes for Māori students.