16 Aug 2012

More checks on Maori pupil support welcomed

6:45 pm on 16 August 2012

There are hopes an annual report card on Maori success and failure in school will make the education sector work harder to support rangatahi.

The Auditor General has announced five yearly checks on how well the education system is responding to Maori students.

The inquiry is supported by a Maori Advisory Group, which says for too long and for too many Maori, experiencing success at school has been an elusive imperative.

A member of the group Lorraine Kerr, welcomes yearly reviews - if they help improve Maori students achieve in class.

She says everyone needs to see the bigger picture, because Maori pupils are going to be the nation's workforce so they need to do well in school.

Ms Kerr, of Ngati Awa, is also the president of the School Trustees Association.