The Māori Party wants Māori immersion schools to receive equal funding to mainstream schools and to give a quarter of the entire education budget to Māori models of care.
Māori Party co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said there are not enough options for young people leaving school and not going into tertiary education to get a well-paying job. Photo: Supplied
In its newly-released education policy, the Māori Party has called for an "overhaul" of the mainstream education system and for equitable funding for kōhanga reo, kura kaupapa and wharekura.
"Fundamental change is required to ensure that Māori can fulfil their potential," Māori Party co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said.
"No one can realise their aspirations unless they know who they are, where they come from, and are proud of their culture and heritage."
Ngarewa-Packer said their policy would ensure the majority of Māori children who are enrolled at mainstream schools would be supported to overcome inequity, racism and the digital divide.
This would be achieved by giving free digital devices and free internet access to all students from Year 4 - Year 13, ensuring all schools have Māori in senior leadership teams, and funding schools to hire additional Māori support staff.
For kaupapa Māori education, the party would establish a $200 million fund for a new hapu-based wānanga, and to drive whānau, hapū and iwi education initiatives.
It would also address Te Kōhanga Reo claim (WAI 2336) by "significantly" increasing operational funding for recognising the teaching qualification, Whakapakari Tino Rangatiratanga as being equal to that of other mainstream Early Childhood Centre qualifications and guaranteeing pay equity for kaiako at kōhanga reo.
It would also increase and promote scholarships for reo Māori speakers to train as teachers, and in Te Aho Matua, the kura kaupapa framework.
The party also wants to set up a $276m fund to increase investment in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) academies, such as Pūhoro STEM Academy, and to double the existing Māori and Pacific trade training and cadetship placements.
Ngarewa-Packer said there are not enough options for young people leaving school and not going into tertiary education to get a well-paying job.
