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“Racism and discrimination: Extremely important, it's impotent for every person of colour that racism is addressed.  Since the March shooting it's highlighted now more than ever the need to educate, call out and address racism.” Primary teacher

“Some of our most vulnerable are transient families.  It will require some cross department teamwork but conversations between schools have to be better.  Full school records have to travel with/to new schools especially if student has learning needs.” Primary teacher

Are these important to you?

  • Yes, lots of support for the focus areas, particularly for focusing on racism and discrimination and for supporting parents.
  • Valuing Pacific cultures and more Pacific teachers leads back to teacher shortage and influx of overseas teachers. Make teaching a better, well-paid job and reduce teacher stress. 

Is there something missing? What would you change about the areas?

  • Expand Dual Language Resources and PELP
  • A number of comments against Innovative Learning Environments
  • Creating space for us to talanoa together more often (particularly in ECE)
  • We need to do more than just have Pacific language weeks
  • Pasifika cultural advisors in every school and culturally appropriate assessment tools
  • Including life skills – budgeting, finance, real world maths etc.
  • Give more space/talanoa meetings to understand and evolve
  • Stop closing providers for Pacific courses
  • IELTS is making it difficult for teachers to survive in NZ
  • Involve other agencies 

Questions

  • Who will provide in depth Tapasā support?  Education council?  RTLB?
  • What does assessment look like for bilingual learners?
  • What funding support is there for the minor Pasifika groups?  Tuvalu, Kiribati, PNG, etc.
  • What support is being offered to schools outside of Pasifika dense areas, e.g. smaller cities and towns with a Pacific population
  • Do schools know racism and discrimination is happening? 

Most common indicators of success (in order)

  • There are no financial barriers to accessing education for Pacific learners and families
  • Pacific learners can learn about their culture and heritage
  • Pacific learners can learn in their language throughout their education
  • Pacific learners and their families feel accepted and included
  • Non Pacific educators can teach Pacific learners in a way that values their cultures
  • Pacific learners and their families are free from racism and discrimination in education
  • Pacific learners’ faith and beliefs and cultures are valued in education

Auckland Teacher Fono Summary [PDF]