July 23, 2014
Parata argues for reo choice
Education Minister Hekia Parata says there is no way she would support compulsory te reo Maori in schools.
The future of the language is emerging as an election issue, with Maori Party MP Pita Sharples arguing it be an option for all primary and intermediate schools and Labour also expressing its support for greater availability of Maori language teaching.
Ms Parata says she has long advocated bilingualism and multilingualism, but it must be a matter of choice.
"One of the key characteristics on the uptake of any language is motivation and absolute appetite of a person for that new language and one of the key ways to kill motivation is to tell someone they have to do something. So I'm not in favour at all in compulsion but I am very much in favour in encouraging and showing the value of te reo Maori" she says.
Hekia Parata says National has increased the resources available for Maori medium education.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH MINISTER HEKIA PARATA CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MjAzODY=
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