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REO KUKA AIRANI NOW TAUGHT IN NEW ZEALAND SCHOOLS |
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By Ruci Farrel |
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Any fears of losing any of
the Pacific Island languages in New Zealand can be allayed with the
introduction of the Cook Islands Maori language curriculum at Sir
Edmund Hillary Collegiate in Otara.
Reo Kuka Airani joins the Samoan language as second language options on
offer in schools around NZ from preschool through to Year 10. Niuean,
Tokelauan and Tongan languages are currently being developed.
Those who stand to benefit the most are the Maori and Pacific Island
students who currently make up a third of all students in schools.
It took six years of consultations with the community, the Ministry of
Education, Ministry for Pacific Island Affairs and the Cook Islands
Ministry of Education to develop the Cook Islands Maori curriculum.
Already requests are coming in from Cook Island communities in Brisbane
and Melbourne to use the language resource which schools in the Cook
Islands will also teach in their curriculum.
During the launch at Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate, education minister
Trevor Mallard said concerted efforts were made after 1998 to develop a
strong language focus after studies showed that fewer than 20 per cent
of children under five who were of Pacific Island descent spoke their
own language.
"Research shows that if a student knows its first language well, then
it helps when learning a second language. We also know that students
respond well to their home, community and language being recognized and
valued," Mr Mallard said.
Learning another language broadens students' general language abilities and
brings their own language into sharper focus, he said. It gives students
insights into and understanding other cultures.
One who finds great solace in speaking his native tongue is former Cook Islands
Premier and High Commissioner to NZ Sir Thomas Davies. "Those of us who are Cook
Islanders with Maori as our first language find great comfort and security when
we meet each other. We undergo a personality shift when we speak our language."
Language identifies us, not only to ourselves, but also to others, Sir
Thomas |
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Tupou Manapori, member of the Sir Edmund Hillary collegiate who
drew-up the Cook Islands Maori Lanuage curriculum. |
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Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate students performing at the Cook
Islands Maori Language curriculum launch. |
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Minister of Education, Hon. Trevor Mallard speaking at the Cook
Islands Maori Language curriculum launch. |
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says.
"If we are proud of our heritage we are also proud of that identification."
Twenty five Cook Islands Maori preschools in Auckland will teach the curriculum
which will be developed for national certificate and NCEA Level One. It advances
on to a degree programme at Auckland University's Centre for Pacific Studies.
For South Auckland teacher and former Manukau City councillor Tupou Manapori to
know one's language is to understand one's genealogy.
"We have to keep the language otherwise these kids will be totally lost. You see
when you're in the islands they'll ask you all sorts of questions like who you
are and where you're from and if you don't know your culture, your language
where will you be?
"You need to be able to identify yourself especially if you're going to claim
land and all that kind of stuff."
Ms Manapori is a dean in the senior school at Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate and
was one of the writers behind the Cook Island Maori curriculum. She sees having
a second language as essential in today's workforce.
"I am relieved that we now have our language. Many of our children have an basic
understanding of the language, although they might not speak it. My job is to
teach them so they can go through with it."
Teacher training to deliver the resources will be the key to the next stage, Ms
Manapori says.
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Copyright Event Polynesia Ltd.
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