‘Better Maori Education Needed’

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31007, 12 March 1966, Page 16

‘Better Maori Education Needed’

(N.Z. Press Association)

WELLINGTON, March 11

If the Minister of Education was not satisfied with the progress of Maori education, as he was reported to have said at Hamilton, neither were school teachers, said the Dominion president of the Educational Institute (Mr G. G. Leith), in Wellington today. He said Government action was long overdue.

“Teachers know the problem and what should be done. They have been waiting all the year s that Mr Kinsella has been in office for the Government to act on the advice of the Currie commission and of other experts. Whose hand is on the brake?” he asked.

Nearly four years ago the commission said the country must be prepared to take exceptional measures to provide “better than normal conditions" if the reservoir of Maori ability were to be tapped fully. Children who were half-way through their schooling then were now within sight of leaving, yet the Government had made only half-hearted gestures toward improving facilities. Apart from the many good schemes for Maori apprentices, the most spectacular recent improvements had been the establishment of preschool play centres. That had been done by voluntary workers, including Maori parents and university and teachers’ college students during their holidays. Mr Leith said that two years ago the Institute’s annual meeting had emphasised the need for smaller junior classes in Maori schools and more specialist teachers for remedial work, but little had been done. “Teachers feel frustrated when they see this urgent need,” he added. There was an official committee on Maori education, which was deeply concerned about Maori welfare and

whose recommendations should be heeded. “It is not enough to be sentimental about Maori rights when a football tour is involved. Positive educationalaction is overdue,” said Mr Leith.