A South Auckland Māori medium school has impressed some of the world's most powerful education leaders with their cultural learning systems. Global Education Leaders' Partnership is committed to transforming learning systems but indigenous education is a new and exciting territory for them.
Education leaders with vast global knowledge experiencing something new.
These Te Kura Māori o Ngā Tapuwae (TKM) students engage in everything Māori, something that has intrigued their visitors.
Kim Proctor from the NSW Dept of Education says, "In talking to the children and the teachers and looking at the learning happening in the classroom, incredibly engaging, it seems to be very relevant and meaningful to the students."
David Istance (OECD) says, "One thing that's very clear is that there's really serious engagement in learning, and that's very, very important."
Te Kura Māori o Ngā Tapuwae has been operating autonomously for the past three years. Their core foundation is whānau.
Associate Principal of TKM, Mark Rangi says, "We work with the families. That's important to us as their support ensures the educational success of the child."
Istance explains, "I live in France. Parents in general would not be welcomed, except for very special occasions, they would leave their child at the gate. To see parents in the school and inside the classroom that is a very healthy aspect of the school."
It was a day of great learning for children and experts alike.
Proctor says, "The valuing of the culture is really important, and I think we could do a lot more to ensure both indigenous and non-indigenous people in our country have a good understanding and respect for the culture."
The task now for these experts is to utilise what they've experienced within their own education systems.