Figures paint profile of Maori students

FILE

Figures showing the education achievement profile of Te Arawa students have been released to the public for the first time.

Education Minister Hekia Parata released figures this week showing iwi by iwi how Maori children do in early childhood education, primary school and NCEA.

Information for Ngati Whakaue, Ngati Pikiao, Ngati Rangitihi and Tuwharetoa have been provided for the Rotorua and Taupo region.

The statistics are broken into two categories, Maori students who attend schools in the designated rohe and students who identify as being affiliated with a particular iwi, regardless of geographic location.

In Ngati Whakaue, statistics show there were 9926 Maori students enrolled in 2014, 768 of which were studying in Maori medium.

Early childhood education was up by 0.2 per cent for Maori girls and 2.2 per cent for Maori boys.

The percentage of 18-year-olds with NCEA level 2 or equivalent had also increased in the rohe, 4.2 per cent for female Maori and 4.4 per cent for male Maori.

Ms Parata said for the first time iwi, hapu and whanau could clearly see how their kids were progressing from early childhood education to NCEA.

"They can use the profiles to work with local early learning providers, schools and tertiary institutions to increase the achievement and opportunities of their young people."

Ms Parata said the information would also be useful for schools working in collectives as part of the Investing in Educational Success scheme.

"The profiles will be especially useful for schools within a Community of Schools when setting achievement targets. Primary schools, kura and iwi might use the profiles to identify the biggest priority for children in their rohe is to improve performance in reading.

"We want every kid to leave school equipped to reach their potential and be confident in their identity, language and culture. Quality information helps us achieve that."

Iwi Education Profiles are part of the Public Achievement Information Plan, designed to share information about the education system with the public.

Profiles show progress in early childhood education participation, National Standards and Nga Whanaketanga Rumaki Maori achievement, and the percentage of students getting key NCEA qualifications.

-The complete statistics for each iwi can be downloaded from www.educationcounts.govt.nz.