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Post by Misstique on Jun 20, 2008 20:22:25 GMT 12
Maori badges childish, say heads
5:00AM Friday June 20, 2008
By Alanah May Eriksen
The Ministry of Education is defending printing thousands of badges to promote Maori education which some principals have labelled gimmicky and infantile.
The badges, sporting phrases like "I love Maori success", "Nice!" and "Wassup!", were sent to principals this week with information packs for Ka Hikitia - Managing for Success, a strategy aimed at turning around Maori under-achievement in schools.
The total cost of the mailout was $230,000, Radio New Zealand reported. The badges are thought to have cost $56,000.
Avondale College principal Brent Lewis told the Herald he thought the badges were a disappointing waste of taxpayers' money and sent an unfortunate message that Maori students were valued over those of other races.
Secondary Principals Association president Peter Gall said that while some of the material in the packs was useful, the marketing material and badges were a "load of nonsense".
"Frankly I think it's infantile."
Ministry deputy secretary for Maori Apryll Parata said she was disappointed by the criticism.
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Post by Misstique on Jun 20, 2008 20:24:39 GMT 12
WASTE OF MONEY OR WHAT?
Geez surely this funding could have gone towards better resources?
Hey, I'm out of touch .... haven't watched TV in 3mths, or bought a paper in 6! lol
I just got this off the net. Interested in views please people!
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Post by Lux on Jun 21, 2008 16:24:23 GMT 12
Money would be better spent educating teachers to to be more innovative and creative when delivering their curriculum subjects. The way I see it is that some secondary schools are failing students miserably....if the stats are anything to go by.
Its almost like some of our youth fall off the ladder when they hit secondary school. Some Maori students seem to struggle at that level and yet thrive in higher learning facilities, so what is it?
Perhaps delivering a curriculum which more inclusive is the answer, providing opportunities for learning in subjects which interest youth. The way I see secondary school should be somewhere where students continue to be interested in learning, because love of learning whatever the subject is the answer to success in my opinion...could be why those students who fail secondary school and go on to thrive in polytech or university are succeeding because there are opportunities to partake in subjects which are of interest.
Unfortunately the downside is that some students who fail badly in secondary school then lose the ability to see learning as something positive, something which can give them a strong foothold in life's future endeavors.
$56.000 for a pile of badges...bloody insult all round!
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