September 15, 2017
2025 target to weave reo into schooling
Labour has set 2025 as a target for having te reo Maori integrated into the daily learning of every early childhood, primary and intermediate school pupil.
Launching the policy this morning at Nga Whare Waatea Marae in south Auckland, deputy leader and Te Taitokerau candidate Kelvin Davis said there will be funding for 3000 teachers a year to take courses to give them the confidence and skills to teach the language.
He says resources will be created to weave te reo Maori throughout the curriculum.
"For those parents who say 'I don't want my child to learn te reo,' it removes that ability because parents can's say I don't want my kids to not learn maths, I don't want my kids to not learn reading,' and if te reo was integrated throughout all the subjects it becomes a natural normal part of learning in the New Zealand school environment that te reo is just part of the learning," Mr Davis said.
Labour will also double the number of dedicated scholarships to increase the number of te reo Maori teachers in secondary schools, to ensure that by 2025 there is enough supply to have the language available as an option for all students who choose it.
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