Māori Education 2026
by Mason Durie
- Comments (0)
- Comment on this article
Overview
Lodged on the Secondary Futures website, this is a very interesting article for use with principals’ groups, senior management teams, teachers, and the wider community. Though a little longer than some Educational Leaders readings, it is easy reading and provokes our thinking. From the thinking and discussion, it should be possible to develop policy and action.
In addition to the historical overview that the paper provides, it also looks towards the future, focusing on educational initiatives for Māori. Durie uses some OECD scenarios and considers ways in which these might be adapted and extended to include possibilities for Māori education. He suggests that the evolution of a distinctive New Zealand pedagogy is important for the future of education in this country. Increasingly, he says, “Māori models and frameworks will find a stronger place in both theory and practice” of that development.
Durie looks to a future where the whole New Zealand education system will benefit from indigenous knowledge forming an integrated pedagogy in which indigenous knowledge interfaces with science and conventional educational theory. His view of what will improve teaching and learning (‘inspirational teachers’) connects closely to findings from a number of the Ministry of Education’s best evidence syntheses and other New Zealand research such as Te Kotahitanga.
Another area which needs to build from success in the past is the development of strong Māori leadership. He argues that Māori educational leaders need to acquire specific skills to work across communities and agencies, and contribute to an education system that can transform the lives of Māori individuals and contribute to the realisation of Māori aspirations. This will “demand a more active approach to leadership building so that there is a succession of leaders who are well trained to manage and lead the next phase of Māori educational reform”.
Reflective questions
These reflective questions might guide you in your reading of this article:
- Durie refers to attitudinal changes, multiple pathways, inspirational teachers, and wise leaders as some of the conditions required to build a better educational future for all New Zealanders. What does the school sector need to undertake and do to grow their knowledge and to bring about these conditions for the future?
- The article provides some examples of initiatives which have lead to progress for Māori within education. What initiatives are happening in your workplace that will build on these for the future of Māori and other New Zealanders?
- In what ways can your school community contribute to identifying, supporting, and sustaining future Māori leaders?
Further reading
Ministry of Education. (2008) Ka Hikitia. Available from: http://Kahikitia.minedu.govt.nz/default.htm
References
Durie, M. (2006). Māori Education 2026. Address to the Post Primary Teachers’ Association Conference, Massey University. Available from: http://www.secondaryfutures.co.nz/guardians/mason-durie.php
Readers' comments
There are no comments.
Post a comment
Not registered? Register now to comment.
