18 Oct 2010

Consultation pays off over Maori immersion school standards - Sharples

9:15 am on 18 October 2010

Associate Education Minister Pita Sharples says consultation over standards for Maori immersion schools has paid off.

Nga Whanaketanga Rumaki Maori standards in literacy and numeracy will be introduced for the next school year.

Dr Sharples says that by taking an extra year the ministry avoided some of the conflict going on in mainstream schools.

"The schools I've spoken to are happy becos they've had a chance to test them out." he told Waatea News. "Mainstream schools have not had that chance."

Dr Sharples said Maori parents want teachers to be evaluated.