12 Jun 2013

Pasifika teachers urged to do more to lift national standards

8:59 am on 12 June 2013

Sylvia Park School principal Barbara Ala'alatoa says the education profession can't turn its back on the inequity of national standards results for Pacific children.

Figures issued on Tuesday show Pacific students are at the bottom in terms of results - despite a improvement of 3% in reading, writing and maths since 2011.

Ms Ala'alatoa said the increase shows teachers are doing better at lifting achievement, but much more is needed.

The Pacific Principals Association said Pacific communities should be pleased, but they should be cautious at the same time.

Vice-president Iosua Esera said the Ministry of Education needs to identify what's leading to significant improvements, and weak areas where teachers and Pacific students need more help.

In its commentary on the 2012 results, the Ministry of Education describes Pacific under-achievement as a "pressing inequity".

Further comment

Education Minister Hekia Parata says the national standard results are helpful for everybody.

The results show slightly more children were judged to be at or above the standards last year than in 2011.

Ms Parata told Morning Report the data will help schools target resources, help parents understand how well their children are doing - and help her identify where resources will be most effective.