Learning needs top Maori voters' list

Maori students are still lagging in the classroom - but at this election the major parties are steering clear of targeted initiatives to help them.

Five years ago Labour tried this direct approach with its controversial Closing the Gaps strategy in education and other social policy areas.

The party quickly retreated when Pakeha voters signalled they saw the policy as favouritism and backtracked even further after National leader Don Brash's Orewa speech on the issue.

Yet the major problems in Maori education have not gone away, despite some improvements in tertiary and preschool participation.

Last year one in four Maori students left school with no qualification, compared with 13 per cent of non-Maori.

The figure bodes badly for a workforce that will increasingly look to Maori for replenishment. Maori made up more than 20 per cent of last year's 764,654 primary and secondary students - up 11 per cent in five years - and this trend is expected to continue.

A recent Herald survey also found that Maori electorate voters believe education is the key issue at this election. Many believe greater investment in education is a way of ensuring a better future for their children.

However, with race-based funding a political no-go, the main parties are short of detailed policy solutions to tackle disproportionate Maori failure in the classroom.

Minister of Maori Affairs Parekura Horomia said Labour had a strong track record in improving Maori educational performance.

"Our recent history has shown, especially within the kohanga reo and kura kaupapa Maori movements, that we will do what needs to be done to support the education and future of our tamariki."

The Maori Party wants free education across all sectors and greater emphasis and access to learn te reo Maori.

It would increase whanau involvement in education and learning on the marae. The party wants more funding to teach all students on the history of each region's local hapu, the importance of whakapapa, and the Treaty of Waitangi.

The school curriculum would also be reviewed to ensure there was "accuracy, authenticity and relevance in portraying Maori culture, history and viewpoints in classrooms".

The Destiny Party wants greater emphasis in training teachers and in ensuring strong family values so "education and life's disciplines begin firstly in the home".

Destiny says its education policies "aim to complement parental responsibility - not replace it. We will uphold success as the goal restoring real and definable standards of academic attainment underpinned by the core subjects of numeracy and literacy."

Family involvement is a key focus of United Future's policy to improve Maori academic achievement.

The party would allow for greater family involvement in education and focus on expanding early family education programmes including kohanga reo.

"Core subjects are the priority at schools through increased resources for reading, writing and maths. Family literacy programmes will be introduced, bringing parent and child together to learn as a family."

National wants an end to educational thinking that paints Maori "as helpless victims of history instead of New Zealand citizens who can learn".

The party will foster a more positive attitude for Maori students.

"Competent teaching, and higher expectations are positive for all students. National believes teaching and learning tailored to individual needs of every student works better than theories based on ethnic origin."

The Greens support greater emphasis on Maori teaching Maori, and would continue targeted funding for Maori education.

The party would work to reduce high Maori standdown and suspension rates "by providing alternatives that keep young people in education while addressing behavioural problems".