Suspension rates rise for Maori students in Far North

12.00pm

A leading Maori educationist says many Maori parents simply do not care that their children are getting into trouble.

Maori made up 73 per cent -- 254 out of 346 -- of suspensions and 70 per cent - 861 out of 1238 - of stand-downs in Northland schools in 2003, figures that have disappointed Te Reo o Te Taitokerau project manager Pita Tipene.

A stand-down is the formal removal of a student from school for a specified period, after which the pupil will automatically return to school.

A suspension is the formal removal of a student until a board of trustees decides to let the student back, extend the penalty or expel the pupil (if a child is 16 or older).

Education Ministry figures show Northland Maori suspension rates rose from 226 cases in 2002 to 254 last year -- a contrast to the previous two years where rates had significantly dropped.

Northland's 2003 overall stand-down rate was 42 per 1000 students.

The Maori rate was 63 per 1000 with males making up most of the Maori stand-downs and suspensions.

Mr Tipene said young male Maoris' bad behaviour did not encourage an education.

"I think there are social norms in that group that encourage certain kinds of behaviour such as being aggressive and the utu (revenge) type of thinking.

"They're seen to be a 'man' if they act like that," Mr Tipene said.

He said families needed to be more responsible for their children's behaviour.

"Maori society has a lot to answer for in terms of allowing bad behaviour to go unchallenged.

"Bad behaviour is bad behaviour in any culture and many Maori parents either 'pretend it's not happening' or simply don't care when it comes to disciplining their children."

Mr Tipene said schools were also "still trying to mould Maori into a British-based system that they can't fit into".

"Pakeha teachers struggle with what makes a Maori tick and the Government is starting to recognise the system isn't working but we need to do more."

The Education Ministry has set up programmes specifically aimed at reducing Maori suspension and stand-down rates, such as the Te Kotahitanga project taught at Kerikeri High School, Bay of Islands College and Okaihau College.

Ministry of Education Whangarei manager Chris Eve said the pilot project taught teachers how to understand their students' needs more clearly so the children, especially Maori, would take more of an interest in class.

Mr Eve said the high figures for Maori suspension and stand-down rates were typical all over New Zealand, not just in Northland.