pn831. Pacific distinguished professor Ratuva breaks down socio-political hurdles

 

Distinguished Professor Steven Ratuva ... “I want to show them [Pacific students and scholars] that nothing is impossible, you can reach the top.” Image: Stuff screenshot APR

By Lee Kenny of Stuff. December 21, 2021

He has worked as an academic in five different countries and now Dr Steven Ratuva has been made a distinguished professor – the first Pacific person to ever hold this highest professorial title.

The Fiji-born University of Canterbury political sociologist and director of the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies has been recognised for his pioneering research in a range of fields, including ethnicity, security and politics.

III. Maxwell, South Taranaki: What history will be taught here? (pn662)

I went to Teachers' College and shared a flat with Val Maxwell, and I visited Maxwell with him before his marriage.  I can only assume he was the great (or possibly the great-great) grandson of George Maxwell, after whom the small township is named.   

Ironically, Val, a pale, skinny Pākehā was a keen member of the Maori Club and had many Māori friends. I  doubt he knew his ancestor's history. I know I didn't at the time.  Pākehā  families and schools did not teach that sort of history to their children. 

I. The thorny question of what history to teach in NZ schools (pn660)

 On 12 September Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Education Minister Chris Hipkins announced that New Zealand’s histories will be taught in all schools and kura by 2022. [Note, "histories", not "history".  Sounds promising.]

The New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa will be updated to make learning New Zealand’s histories explicit, so that all learners and ākonga are provided with opportunities to learn about the events that have shaped our nation, and the different perspectives New Zealanders have of these events.

pn589. National's line-up, a shadow of its former self, and Education is bottom of the heap

It's a much smaller shadow cabinet line up than last time (click here), with National lacking numbers and strength after its election losses.  The appointment of Shane Reti as Deputy Leader is a welcome sign but the relegation of Paul Goldsmith from 4th to 12th, where he picks up Education, seems to say more about National's priorities, with Education at the bottom of the heap,  than it does about Goldsmith's previous shortcomings in Finance.   

It is pleasing to note that Labour places Education far higher, with Minister Chris Hipkins fifth in Cabinet, with two assistant Ministers to boot.

For Labour's Cabinet line-up, see pn584.

-- ACW

pn570. Weekend links and snippets

A mix of long and short pieces to make your long weekend. Click on link and then on redirect page link.

1. Why government should not invest in Auckland Light Rail: lessons from overseas.

2. Who decides a teacher is or is not performing well? It's not like picking the best first five, Mike Hosking. A quick read. 

3.This is not a democracy (with comments on Maori action).  A long and  thoughtful piece, ideal weekend reading.

Why Teaching Our History is so Important for Vital Citizenship

pn367

This article presents a case for (1)  the teaching of our history to all students; (2)  for the teaching of the history of science and maths within science and maths (and other) degrees, and (3) for the inclusion of relevant histories as part of non-history courses in general.

For many years now NZ's secondary  education has been drifting  towards teaching "practical" skills useful in business and the service economy, to the neglect of the broad-based education of English, History, Geography, Science and Maths that once prevailed. As one English teacher said, "Schoolchildren will only learn history if we stop denigrating the humanities and try to end the ingrained apathy to their past."

The same has been happening in tertiary education where once a  sound education in Arts .was equated with a broad base in years 1 and 2, leaving specialism to year 3,  a post-graduate diploma, honours or masters.  Subjects like Philosophy and logic, Religious Studies, and even Psychology became less "relevant" as more of our young people studied business and IT. 

Compulory Te Reo Māori debate fails to address key problems, say critics

Māori language week was celebrated last week and the key issue in the media was a debate on whether Te Reo Māori should be made compulsory in New Zealand schools. 

Mike Mohr of Asia Pacific Journalism* reports.

Te Reo Māori lessons ... lack of teachers and resources
make it hard for a compulsory approach.
Image: Māori Television pn92

Amid the debate over the issue of compulsory Te Reo Māori lessons in New Zealand schools that intensified last week, many arguments and opinions for and against were voiced.

Many New Zealanders support the idea of te reo being introduced more widely into schools, with overwhelming media coverage in support for compulsory Te Reo be implemented into the New Zealand core school curriculum by 2025.

But the question that has not yet been answered is whether it is possible or realistic, and the views of some who do not agree with the notion of compulsion have not yet been fully voiced.

It is an ongoing debate that has divided many New Zealanders in support of its implementation and those opposed to Te Reo being made compulsory.