Literacy and maths revamp welcomed

“A welcome and inclusive approach, drawing on key academic experts and leaders across the country’s universities,” is the verdict from the New Zealand Council of Deans of Education on the recently released Hei Raukura Mō te Mokopuna and its Literacy & Communication and Maths Strategy.

Council of Deans of Education chair, Associate Professor Mark Barrow from the University of Auckland, says the call for a more collective, evidence-based, research-informed framework for our education system is very welcome.

“The Council shares the Ministry’s desire to develop common practice models for the early learning and schooling sectors and many university staff are already involved in contributing to this development,” he says.

“And while none of us underestimates the complexities we will face in developing these models, we look forward to continuing to work within and across our universities – in collaboration with the Ministry, education peak bodies, iwi-based and Pacific community partners, and our respective partner schools and centres – to develop the models and pathways forward.”

Dr Barrow says that as providers of initial teacher education, universities are committed to playing a leading role in the efforts to address identified challenges in literacy and mathematics education and to supporting the ongoing effort to revise the Aotearoa New Zealand Curriculum.

The New Zealand Council of Deans of Education represents the seven university schools of education in Aotearoa New Zealand. Collectively New Zealand’s universities educate the majority of new primary and secondary teachers who enter the New Zealand schooling system and many new early childhood education teachers.

The universities also provide postgraduate programmes that attract large numbers of teachers who want to improve their practice in specific areas.