KEY POINTS:
Pasifika students at the top of the class is the aim of an education plan which aims to get them achieving at a higher level.
At De La Salle College in South Auckland yesterday, the low hum of a conch shell signalled the unveiling of the Pasifika education plan for 2008-2012 - a Government initiative looking to boost Pasifika students' success in the classroom.
Education Minister Chris Carter and Pacific Islands Affairs Minister Luamanuvao Winnie Laban were at the school to launch the plan, which includes a greater focus on getting Pasifika children enrolled in a preschool and increasing the number of students achieving at all levels of NCEA.
At the ceremony - attended by students, school groups and Pacific agencies - Ms Laban acknowledged the success of many Pacific students around the country.
But she said there was still a need for improvement, as Pacific student achievement was still lower than that of other groups.
"The 2007 report shows that we are seeing more and more achievement," Ms Laban said. "But Pacific students' achievement is still lagging behind.
"Today, New Zealand's Pacific people are young and diverse. Pacific success is critical to New Zealand's success."
A Pasifika education monitoring report also unveiled at the launch showed improving signs for Pasifika in all parts of the education system, including an increase in early-childhood participation and at tertiary level, where 22 per cent more Pacific Island students had enrolled since 2001.
Mr Carter said a particular focus of the plan was on increasing the participation rate of Pasifika children in early-childhood education.
He acknowledged the benefits of preschools with full-immersion and bilingual programmes.
"Children get a good start in early childhood education - and a good start to life. We also have an opportunity in the early-childhood system to build on culture and languages of Pacific Island cultures - it's an opportunity to preserve Pacific culture."
Early childhood teacher Tapuakimana Togiapoe was at the launch with two of her young students - 4-year-olds Talaga Alapaki and Sarah Anne Arthur-Teaukura - from the Nukutukulea Aoga Niue preschool in Mangere.
Mrs Togiapoe, supervisor at the preschool, said it was important for the Government to focus on early-childhood education, as it was this which set children up for life.
"At our school, the children learn in their language, and that's something good for them, for their future," she said.
"We hear so many stories about Pasifika here and Pasifika there - negative things - but now, we have a big, beautiful building for lots of children to learn in - something good."
The preschool, in which 30 students have enrolled, has opened a new facility which will enable the school to take in an extra 20 students, - something which Mrs Togiapoe says is a sign of moving Pasifika education forward.
Acknowledging her two young students, she said: "I hope they will learn more, to do better at a higher level. I hope this plan brings Pacific people together."
