September 19, 2017
Maori history goes on curriculum
An improved standard of citizenship.
That’s what veteran educator Pem Bird expects from a new Maori history curriculum for years 1 to 8.
Te Takanga o te Wa was launched over the weekend at Te Papaiouru Marae in Rotorua after several years of development and trials within the profession.
It was endorsed by the major teaching unions and education sector groups.
Mr Bird says it will change the way auira see their country.
"This is the forgotten history, the history that has been margnalised, so the logical place to start for all schools is the history they see out of their school windows. Their marae, their local tangata whenua, that is a great place to start. forge new relationships, consolidate existing ones, work with tangata whenua, make new friends," he says.
It will take about five years to fully roll out Te Takanga o te Wa, including professional development so teachers can feel confident about discovering and teaching history.
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