Tū Ake, Kōrero Mai | Stand Up, Speak Up
Kei whea te waka? Where is the waka?
Thousands of moons ago, under a compass of stars, our tupuna (ancestors) traversed the mighty oceans in multiple waka (canoes) to reach our land, Aotearoa. It was an incredible feat that could not be achieved without collective contribution. In present day, the waka continues to represent the need to work together to achieve such greatness – He waka eke noa, we are all in this together. This whakatauki (saying or proverb) encourages and reminds us to be united, supportive, and paddle in unison as a team to move the waka forward.
In education, providing a waka of support for kaiako (teachers) to practice equitable and inclusive education is paramount for the success of all ākonga (students). Behind every effective teacher stand school leaders, community agencies and Ministry of Education staff committed to supporting them to support every child.
The Beauty of Diversity
In a recent brief statement, Education Minister Erica Stanford refers to ways of tackling inequitable education outcomes at New Zealand schools through a one-size fits all approach. Thinking about equity in education is important, but the government’s approach raises concerns because it does not recognise that there are many ways to be successful. In widening the scope of valuable qualities, and what it means “to be successful”, many more students can experience success and feel included. This one-size fits all narrative is not only a myth, but harmful because it encourages educators, parents and the community to notice what is lacking, rather than embrace the beauty of diversity. When we focus on what is lacking, deficit theorising of certain groups of students occurs.
What is deficit theorising and why is it harmful?
Deficit theorising is the practice of attributing blame for poor achievement outcomes to the learners themselves or to their impoverished circumstances.
Fixing the system: Supporting interventions for students with additional needs
The Minister of Education, the Honourable Erica Stanford has just announced six education priorities. It is very pleasing to see that one of these priorities is “Stronger learning support: Targeting effective learning support interventions for students with additional needs” (Learning Support is the term the Government use to describe the funding and other supports made available to help these students, their teachers and their whānau).
This is pleasing to see because New Zealand, like many other countries around the world is grappling with significant disparities between the education access, participation and outcomes of some students, and in particular, disabled students and those with additional needs.
A Centre for Research,Learning and Practice
The Equity Through Education Centre was established in 2016 within the Institute of Education, Massey University.
It is an interprofessional community of educators inquiring into the problems of educational inequity.
Learning & Research Pathways
Blurring the boundaries between formal and non-formal learning, scholarship, inquiry and research, the centre offers bespoke short courses, funds research and offers individualised professional development.
