12. SU’A WILLIAM SIO (Labour—Māngere) Link to this
to the Minister of Education
Does she stand by her ministry’s decision to stop publishing the five Pacific language resource Tupu series and the Samoan language Folauga journals that are used by 33 Pacific bilingual units to provide bilingual education to about 1,300 primary students throughout New Zealand?
Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister of Education) Link to this
The Ministry of Education has not decided to stop publishing the Tupu and Folauga series. However, it is reviewing whether these are the most effective resources to support Pasifika education. This is in light of the fact that Pasifika students’ literacy levels are consistently and significantly lower than those for other groups. Schools will continue to receive new titles from the Tupu and Folauga series in 2010. In addition, a new series of Pasifika language learning story books have been developed to support the five Pasifika languages curriculum. These will be distributed to schools starting in November and going through to 2011.
What evidence does the Minister rely on, when in her own words “It has been decided to pause Tupu as it does not align with the ministry priority outcomes of every child achieving literacy and numeracy levels that enable their success.”?
As I said in answer to the primary question, in fact the evidence that the ministry is relying on to review these series is the fact that Pasifika students’ literacy levels are consistently and significantly lower than those of other groups.
If the Minister has rejected research recommendations that New Zealand use Pacific bilingual education to raise Pacific students’ academic achievements in schools, how does she intend to meet the related objectives of strong identity, self-confidence, and parental aspirations, or is she not concerned that Pacific people in New Zealand are on a course to lose their first languages for ever?
I totally reject the assertions made in that question. I say to that member that the ministry will continue to provide language guidelines, resources, and professional development for teachers to support the teaching of five Pasifika languages as part of the action from the Pasifika Education Plan 2009-2012. The Pasifika languages are an integral part of the learning of languages area of the New Zealand curriculum. These resources also support the preservation and maintenance of Pasifika languages. In addition, there are a significant number of Tupu and Folauga books available online.
I seek leave to table a letter signed by the Minister, dated 7 October, and addressed to Joanne Okesene, in which she states that the Tupu series, which supports language learning, is to be paused.
Mr SPEAKER