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only another of many cultures <strong>in</strong> Aotearoa New Zealand. This fear is<br />

legitimate and justified. (p. 65)<br />

Establish<strong>in</strong>g a sound relationship between Māori and the Crown is our<br />

first priority <strong>in</strong> Aotearoa New Zealand. From that platform, relationships with<br />

other ethnicities can be forged. This was recognised by the follow<strong>in</strong>g respondent:<br />

We live <strong>in</strong> a multicultural society. We have to be aware of meet<strong>in</strong>g the<br />

needs of all children. We follow Māori culture/tikanga all the time.<br />

However, we are not opposed to learn<strong>in</strong>g from others and teach<strong>in</strong>g it<br />

also (R 136).<br />

This is consistent with the M<strong>in</strong>istry of Education (1996) which states that<br />

“the <strong>early</strong> childhood <strong>curriculum</strong> supports the cultural identity of all children,<br />

affirms and celebrates cultural differences, and aims to help children ga<strong>in</strong> a positive<br />

awareness of their own and other cultures” (p. 18).<br />

In summary, there were many troubl<strong>in</strong>g agendas for research participants<br />

as they sought to implement Tiriti-<strong>based</strong> pedagogy. My impression, born from<br />

ongo<strong>in</strong>g observations carried out across three case studies, and honed by careful<br />

analyses of the various forms of qualitative data which were gathered, enabled me<br />

to conclude that there was a great deal of good will, will<strong>in</strong>gness, and determ<strong>in</strong>ation<br />

to implement te Tiriti <strong>based</strong> <strong>curriculum</strong> successfully. Teachers not only wanted to<br />

implement Tiriti-<strong>based</strong> <strong>curriculum</strong> but also wanted to do so successfully and they<br />

made attempts to build their confidence whilst do<strong>in</strong>g so.<br />

This study has demonstrated that Tiriti <strong>based</strong> <strong>curriculum</strong> can best be<br />

implemented when a whole-of-centre approach is used. Furthermore, <strong>in</strong>vit<strong>in</strong>g<br />

Māori co-construction and empower<strong>in</strong>g exist<strong>in</strong>g passionate leadership (or grow<strong>in</strong>g<br />

it as necessary) is also essential. As well, an <strong>in</strong>tentional strategy for ensur<strong>in</strong>g<br />

ongo<strong>in</strong>g professional development is required because that will grow confidence <strong>in</strong><br />

staff and will enable them to clarify and surmount most challenges. Work<strong>in</strong>g from<br />

a positive stance empowers teachers so that they overcome their fears and f<strong>in</strong>d the<br />

courage with which to successfully implement Tiriti-<strong>based</strong> <strong>curriculum</strong>. As centres<br />

build relationships with whānau Māori they become more able to weave their<br />

unique whāriki together.<br />

But realistically Tiriti-<strong>based</strong> <strong>curriculum</strong> is always go<strong>in</strong>g to be a struggle<br />

until Aotearoa New Zealand is truly bicultural. As one of the participants <strong>in</strong><br />

Ritchie‟s (2002b) research remarked. “The only way it‟s go<strong>in</strong>g to happen…is by<br />

227

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