Respond to challenge, Sharples tells Universities

Maori Affairs and Associate Education Minister Pita Sharples strongly reiterated his challenge to universities, to consider how they might help to overcome systemic disadvantage to Maori in tertiary education.

Responding to questions in Parliament this afternoon, Dr Sharples said he stood by his call for universities to consider open access for Maori students to bridging programmes, as part of a package of measures to increase Maori participation and achievement in tertiary education.

“Open access enhances opportunities for Maori to embrace the culture and tap into the resources of universities and, with the mentoring and whanau support programmes I called for, Maori students have proven they can pass exams and complete research to meet the highest standards of academia,” said Dr Sharples.

“I also called for universities to meet Maori educational needs half way, by interweaving kaupapa Maori into their own strong European academic traditions to create win-win outcomes for Maori and non-Maori students alike. A New Zealand education for all citizens should draw on the strengths of both Maori and European traditions and pedagogy.

“My speech made clear that educational under-achievement by Maori students is obvious at school. That is why the government allocated an extra $20 million to expand the Kotahitanga programme in secondary schools, and almost $70 million to extend the 20-hours free early childhood education to kohanga reo and playcentres,” said Dr Sharples.

“But the point is: what can universities do to overcome the crisis? It is not good enough simply to blame schools.

“Wananga have transformed Maori aspirations for tertiary education, by making courses easily accessible, and providing a kaupapa Maori learning environment. So will the universities respond, by stepping outside conventional thinking, and embracing new approaches?

“That is the question I posed, and I welcome debate on the issues, because tertiary education for Maori is critical for the future of Aotearoa,” he said.

Media contact: Andrew Robb 029- 482 8494 or 04- 817 6772