This report is the outcome of a research project undertaken in response to widespread concerns about the educational programmes currently offered in many Māori medium secondary schooling contexts. These concerns are reflected in the large drop-off in number of enrolled students that occurs in the Māori medium sector at a national level between Year 8 and Year 9. The project centres on the evidence provided from interviews with a small sample of parents of Year 9 children attending Māori medium schools in and near Wellington.
Purpose
The purpose of this small project was to find out how and why some whānau made the decision to continue on from kura kaupapa to wharekura (from Year 8 to Year 9). The research also looked at some of the issues that challenged the commitment of many whānau to follow this pathway. As parents, teachers, and researchers involved in Māori medium education, we were interested in highlighting the benefits of Māori medium education in ways that would encourage prospective whānau to consider wharekura as a secondary schooling option. We also wanted to support Māori communities’ aspirations and the development of Māori medium education.