This is a must-listen for parents and grandparents of school-age children. Rata says we must abandon the term 'learners' and revert to 'teachers' and explains her reasoning. Children are also spending too much time on 'projects' and self-directed inquiry before they have the tools to understand what they read. She strongly encourages parents to visit schools and find out what their children are learning in order to bring about change.
They also discuss 'tribalism' and the 'Kura Kaupapa' movement seen through Rata's intimate lens.
Listen here
It is only in the blink of an eye that this sort of stuff has become (or becoming) common knowledge (meaning Critical Theory).
Elizabeth correctly outlines some of the deficiencies in our so called education system.
This whole shambles was created by a Labour government which announced Tomorrow's Schools with great fanfare but replaced a working education system with Tomorrow's Shambles.
I say that for the sake of New Zealand's children Labour needs to go and that parents demand and support a planned and structured curriculum which outlines the knowledge and skills to be taught during each school year.
1. Give teachers some flexibility in the way they get their pupils to achieve competence and success and give them a reasonable workload and the resources to do their job.
Identify children with special needs and give them IMMEDIATE assistance rather than letting things…
I have worked in the education sector for 50 years. Was a secondary teacher, principal, worked for ERO briefly and for the MOE. After retirement in 2015, I returned to the classroom and have taught maths for the last 8 years. I am retired again now and preface my comments to illustrate that I am fully aware of the realities of education and teaching in classrooms of the 1970 - 2000 era and now since 2015. It is very different today, and urgently in need of change.
This is a superb interview. It allowed Professor Elizabeth Rata all the time she needed to make the most coherent, pertinent, insightful and relevant comments I have ever heard regarding NZ education, it…
Whoa, Andromeda!
As a language teacher of Latin, French and Spanish and a Maori learner (Russian as well) may I take issue with your ignorance. Maori has both structure and conventions and is now written.
It is no less a language than any other. I do not think it should be compulsory in New Zealand schools, however, for dozens of reasons.
Words are used in a structured and conventional way in Maori and conveyed by body language just as in English or any other language.
Best to stick to what you know, Andromeda.
Don‘t confuse definitions of what language is with the ridiculous concepts of indigenous knowledge being the equivalent of modern science and astronomy. And that indigenous knowledge should…
Language definition:
"The principal method of human communication, consisting of words used in a structured and conventional way and conveyed by speech, writing, or gesture.
The Maori language does not fall within this definition., as it does not have structure, nor does it maintain conventions. Structure evolves over time, but requires a written language with meanings, spelling, hierarchical context and derivatives. The Maori language does not have this.
It is as useless as using etch-a-sketch to design the next space station. It has its place but not as a primary language, not compulsory in schools, and not in science.
In this context, convention means:
"The term convention is used where there is a generally accepted usage or practice. The convention…