How do schools give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the current political climate?
Abstract
The Education and Training Act 2020 requires schools to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. However, the newly elected National coalition-led government has sent contradictory messages about Te Tiriti o Waitangi, which may be confusing educators. For example, recent actions by the government, such as repealing laws, are harming their relationship with iwi Māori and have undone decades of Māori progress. While the government may be sending educators contradictory messages, educators play a crucial role in teaching students about Te Tiriti o Waitangi which can promote a unified understanding. Suppose all educators and students have a sound knowledge of Te Tiriti, they can better comprehend the historical injustices that Māori have endured and the intergenerational effects that continue to impact Māori today. With contradictory messages from the government and different interpretations about Te Tiriti o Waitangi, what should educators be teaching students about Te Tiriti o Waitangi? This article aims to contribute to a collective understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in education by discussing the articles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the Treaty of Waitangi. I also offer suggestions for how schools could give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi despite the confusing messages being received by the government.
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References
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