New Insights into a New Culture

While some may argue that New Zealand is not all that different from Canada, I can now say that I beg to differ.

Before I came to New Zealand, I did a presentation on the education system and since this has held my interest since arriving, I would like to talk about it for a minute. First, the school system here is dramatically different in so far as I have noticed, two ways. First, there are parent-run boards that essentially run the schools. The budget is decided on by the "finance people" but the board gets to decide where the funds are going. The position is elected and volunter. Basically, the principal runs the school and the board oversees all of the major decisions. But the principle is much more independent here then at home and has much more say in what goes on in the school. For example, since New Zealand does not have a national assessment program like we do with PAT's, they create their own system of evaluating students skill levels and work from that as to how they can improve their students' learning. Although test scores are compared with other schools like at home, it is not the worry of the province to ensure that these scores are going up. As a country, there is only one national test done every four years where students are selected at random. Very interesting...

paparoa Street is a 10 out of 10 on the DCILE scale. This means, that through census, the community that surrounds the school is surveyed to see the level of education of parents and their income. We have a very affluent community and therefore, receive a 10 out of 10 which means much less funding is given to us than other schools. Parents are expected to pay more fees and funraise many of their own events if they wish to buy extras for the school. Unlike in Canada, money is determined by how many students attend the school, which is much different than here.

Finally, one last thing that has not only peaked my interest but has made me think more ciritcally about our schiool system and culture, is the treatment of the Maori language, people, and culture. There is so much effort being put into the preservation of this culture, that it is appalling to think of how our native culture is treated at home. Here, there is not the racism, there are not isloated reserves, there is not only one school for every hundred miles that teaches First nations culture. Here, students are exposed daily to Maori culture and language. They all know words and phrases in the language. They see the celebraton of the culture at every assembly, sporting event, and festival. It is everywhere, it is a part of the coomunity and the country. It is not separate, it is not saved for one day of the year; a day we call Cultural Day. It is not known by only people of that culture, it is known by all.

Teachers are required by law to report to the government on how their Maori students are doing. They do not fall through the cracks here like our First Nations do at home. There is a nation-wide effort being put into bringing the culture back to life, to spread its roots to more than just its own people. The library carries an iffinite number of Maori literature; authors legends, fables, and fairy tales all line the shelves. It is an mazing way to get the younger generations interested in something different, something other than their own culture. Shop stores have their name in both English and Maori. No such things exists with the Blackfoot or Iroquois language at home. It is truly unbelievable to think how we are letting such an amazing, unique, and essential part of our history, fade away. Although there are many who are trying to save the langauge and its culture, I do not think that there are not enough people to do the job; not when I see how many people are contributing here compared to the number who are doing so at home. Being here, has made me realize the reality of losing a culture and part of our history and makes me want to do somethig about it. What? I do not yet know. But we need more people at home like we have here in New Zealand; people who do not turn a blind eye to the loss of a culture.