Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Kura Kaupapa Maori (KKM) are being urged to stay the course
and reject National Standards
in favour of the Maori-designed framework, Te Aho Matua.
The Ministry of Education says
non-compliance with National Standards is illegal,
but the organisation representing KKM told the Marae Investigates show
they have contradictory legal advice from top lawyer Mai Chen.
And as Peata Melbourne reports, like the Kohanga Reo,
the standoff between the MOE and KKM could end up
being battled out in the Waitangi Tribunal.
Te Runanga Nui o Nga Kura Kaupapa Maori Chair
wanted to be exempt from National Standards
to focus on their holistic teaching philosophy -
Te Marautanga o Te Aho Matua.
That's what we're advising
our schools all over the country –
to stick with Te Aho Matua.
A move their legal advisor says is well within their rights.
She says under the Education Act,
Kura Kaupapa have to give effect to Te Aho Matua.
The question then becomes,
are National Standards consistent with Te Aho Matua?
The Ministry of Education
has not yet shown us any consistencies
between the National Standards and our philosophy.
And he's written a letter to the Minister of Maori Affairs
requesting to sit down with the Ministry of Education
to determine whether National Standards can be applied
to Kura Kaupapa Maori.
Kohanga Reo last year faced a similar opposition from the MOE,
leading to a week-long Tribunal hearing,
with Kohanga pushing to teach according to their philosophy.
In a statement from the MOE
they said schools are legally required
to implement National Standards
of which Nga Whanaketanga Rumaki Maori is an important part,
since they were incorporated in the Education Act 2008.
The MOE have said they've extended their timeframe
by which they need to meet their reporting requirements.
But it's a case that could end up in front of the tribunal.
Peata Melbourne, Te Karere.