Catholic education office reaffirms Te Tiriti support

The Education and Training Amendment Bill No. 2, which passed its third reading on November 11, removed a requirement previously in the Education and Training Act that schools would give effect to Te Tiriti.

Under the previous law, schools had to ensure plans, policies and local curriculum reflected local tikanga Māori, mātauranga Māori and te ao Māori, take all reasonable steps to make instruction available in tikanga Māori and te reo Māori, as well as achieve equitable outcomes for Māori students.

Under the changed law, school boards will still be required to seek equitable outcomes for Māori students, and also take reasonable steps to reflect New Zealand’s cultural diversity and provide te reo Māori learning if requested.

After the law change, the New Zealand Catholic Education Office (NZCEO) posted a statement to its website reaffirming its support for Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Chief executive Kevin Shore said the NZCEO “encourages our Catholic school boards to continue to give effect to Te Tiriti as an essential component of our special character responsibilities”.

“Catholic education in New Zealand has a long history of support for tangata whenua and for the inclusion of tikanga and te reo within the culture and practice of our schools,” Dr Shore said.

“A strong focus on the principles of Catholic social teaching, including human dignity, subsidiarity, preferential option for the poor and the common good, guide our approach to embedding Te Tiriti in Catholic schools [and] will allow ākonga and their whānau to flourish and reach their full human potential.”

Recommended actions for Catholic school staff and boards include working to develop an understanding of Māori wairua/spirituality and incorporating tikanga Māori, te reo Māori and karakia/prayer into the daily life of the school. It is also suggested to develop community understanding of te ao Māori, recognise Māori as tangata whenua, consult with local Māori communities and embed Māori spiritual and cultural practices into school life.

Many school boards throughout the country have issued public statements reaffirming their intentions to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

FULL STORY

Schools across Aotearoa reaffirm commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi after changes to Education Act (By Laila Bailey-McDowell/Radio New Zealand)

Statement on the Education and Training Amendment Bill (No 2) (NZCEO)