Covid-19: Māori educational resources included in government support package

5:22 pm on 8 April 2020

There are a range of resources and online learning opportunities for Māori students when school holidays come to an end on Friday, the government says.

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Kelvin Davis (file photo) Photo: RNZ / Patrice Allen

Associate Education Minister Kelvin Davis said a new online space called Ki Te Ao Mārama would provide whānau with practical advice, guidance and resources to use with their tamariki.

The online content is also included in hard-copy learning packs, which can ordered online for free.

Davis said whānau who did not have access to the internet would not miss out.

"The Ministry of Education is working on having distance learning options available by next week, but we're mindful things won't be perfect on day one. This has been a significant undertaking by the Ministry at a challenging time," he said.

They were also working with device suppliers and internet providers to source devices and internet connections for learners and whānau to support continued learning in their homes.

"Right now we're prioritising ākonga at wharekura and kura tuarua engaged in NCEA subjects and will expand this to other students when more devices are available."

  • If you have symptoms of the coronavirus, call the NZ Covid-19 Healthline on 0800 358 5453 (+64 9 358 5453 for international SIMs) or call your GP - don't show up at a medical centre

Online learning Ki Te Ao Mārama

The Ki Te Ao Mārama online learning space provides resources in te reo Māori or in English for learners in kōhanga reo, kura kaupapa and wharekura.

It has resources like planning guides, activity templates, links to learning programmes and access to storybooks in te reo Māori.

Māori Television

The government is working closely with Māori Television to provide educational programmes for tamariki.

Davis said this could be a good option for whānau who did not have access to the internet at home.

"We are working with Māori Television to provide educational te reo Māori programmes to support learning from home. This is designed, but not limited to, helping areas where whānau don't have access to the internet or devices."

"Programmes will be aligned to the curriculum and contain age appropriate content that tamariki can do on their own, with their siblings or together as a whānau."

Hard Copy Learning Packs

The government will provide free learning packs with resources to support lessons at home.

The packs include te reo Māori resources to encourage te reo at home with whānau, such as planning templates, stationery, worksheets and learning activities.

They can be ordered online here.

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