Abstract
Values understood to be fundamentally important across Pacific groups are central to New Zealand education policy focussed on enhancing school learning of Pasifika students. To explore teacher perceptions of three of these values (respect, service, leadership), interviews with primary and secondary teachers were collected and analysed and their lessons observed. Findings indicate policy implementation is challenged by a lack of deep understanding of Pasifika values amongst many teachers. Implications include that extensive professional development and urgent recruitment of teachers and school leaders with strong knowledge of Pasifika communities are needed to improve achievement opportunities for Pasifika learners and facilitate policy implementation.
Highlights
Values understood to be fundamentally important across Pacific groups are central to New Zealand education policy focussed on enhancing school learning of Pasifika students
Pasifika teachers explained that the importance of the values of respect, service, and leadership to the family and community is instilled in Pasifika children from a very young age
Pasifika teacher interview responses consistently showed deep ingrained holistic understandings about the values: Leadership to me is like being a shepherd... it’s all to do with nurturing and nourishing... trying all the strategies that bring everybody into the flock. (Pasifika Teacher)
Summary
While New Zealand is founded on a treaty agreement between Māori as the original people of New Zealand and the British crown with guiding principles of protection, participation, and partnership to safeguard Māori knowledge and interests, there is no equivalent arrangement ensuring equitable legal responsiveness to New Zealand’s Pasifika peoples. Central to the ‘Pasifika Education Plan’ (Ministry of Education, 2013) and the Tapasā Compass (Ministry of Education, 2018) are Pasifika learners, parents, families, and communities, and nine values fundamentally important across these groups: respect, service, leadership, family, reciprocal relationships, inclusion, belonging, spirituality, and love. Examples of cultural competency indicators explicitly linked to Pasifika values include that student teachers must understand: “the importance of retention and transmission of Pacific identities, languages and cultural values” The national New Zealand curriculum (Ministry of Education, 2007) supports equitable teaching, having at its foundation principles of reflecting New Zealand’s cultural diversity, community engagement, valuing: “the histories and traditions of all its people”, and empowering: “all students to learn and achieve personal excellence, regardless of their individual circumstances” Policy relating to ensuring Pasifika learner success is reflected strongly in the curriculum and other policy documents (Ministry of Education, 2007; 2013; 2018)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
