Iwi leader attacks NZEI stance

Maori children deserve better than a teacher union's scaremongering on the national standards, says the head of an iwi school group.

The chairman of the North Island-based, 25-member Nga Kura a Iwi, Pem Bird, of Bay of Plenty, said the New Zealand Educational Institute's (NZEI) anti-standards stance undermined the policy and Maori parents' confidence. Maori children were being used as "weapons in a cynical, senseless campaign".

"In our view, the best interests of NZEI teacher members do not, as in this case, always equate to the best interests of Maori learners – far from it," he said.

"Maori under-achievement is endemic and has been a sad feature of our education system for a very long time, and these national standards will see a lift in Maori achievement. We should be excited about this."

Bird's comments come after more than 200 NZEI Maori educators passed a vote of no confidence in the standards at a hui on Tuesday.

Three days earlier, the New Zealand Principals' Federation recorded a similar vote. Te Reo Areare, the union's Maori council, said the policy discriminated against and marginalised the potential of Maori children.

Union organiser Olive Hawira said the standards "had no Maori basis".

Bird said the standards were supported by Nga Kura a Iwi because they mirrored the group's philosophy, thinking and practice. The policy was an assessment of teaching, not learning, he said, and would give parents benchmarks, context and meaning.

"Parents will know that what they're getting stacks up and has meaning. First and foremost, this is about quality teaching and teachers doing their jobs properly."

He said the possibility of league tables being published by the media – a concern of many teachers and principals – should be viewed as a challenge.

"I don't see what's wrong with my community knowing how we are going." Introduced this year, the policy sees every pupil from year 1 to 8 measured at, above, below or well below national literacy and numeracy standards.

- © Fairfax NZ News