The 3P's

The principles suggested by the Royal Commission on Social Policy provide a basic framework to structure the NZ curriculum. These principles are:

 Partnership: The New Zealand Curriculum envisions, “Young people who will work to create an Aotearoa New Zealand in which Māori and Pākehā recognize each other as full Treaty partners, and in which all cultures are valued for the contributions they bring.” This principle encourages the school to collaborate with the local community. The school should try to share power, control and decision making to implement the principle of the Treaty. I would prefer to increase the partnership of my diverse learners by recognizing their culture and encourage them to share their valuable traditions with each other. They can be told to share folk stories or play some drama.

Protection:Ka Hikitia (Ministry of Education, 2007) emphasizes that “culture counts” and describes a commitment to “knowing, respecting and valuing where students are, where they come from and building on what they bring with them.”The principle of protection aims at protecting the Maori culture, customs and values. It emphasizes to give respect to Maori language in the schools. Other students should gain from Maori experiences. I would like to be culturally competent. I would not hesitate to learn about Maori culture and language even from my learners. It will help me relate with my students. I would like to take an opportunity to visit their families to understand about their customs.

Participation: Participation also emphasizes positive Māori involvement at all levels of education, as expressed in NEG 9, “Increased participation and success by Māori through the advancement of Māori educational initiatives, including education in Te Reo Māori, consistent with the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.” When this principle is realized, the aspirations and views of Māori students and of their parents, whānau, and communities are apparent in school and classroom planning (ERO, 2011).It emphasizes that Maori students also equally participate at all levels of education. It can be encouraged by building constructive home-school relationship. The Maori Whanau should be consulted on new development.

To conclude, the 3 P’s cannot be implanted one by one. The Treaty can be honored by applying them all collectively.

References:

Education Review Office (2011). Directions for Learning: The New Zealand Curriculum Principles and Teaching as Inquiry, May 2011. Wellington: Education Review Office. Retrieved fromhttp://nzcurriculum.tki.org.nz/content/download/12679/149329/file/NZC%20Update%20Issue%2016.pdf

Ministry of Education (2007). Ka Hikitia – Managing for Success: The Māori Education Strategy 2008–2012. Wellington: Ministry of Education. Retrieved fromhttp://nzcurriculum.tki.org.nz/content/download/12679/149329/file/NZC%20Update%20Issue%2016.pdf

‘New Zealand Curriculum Updates’. Retrieved from  http://www.nzcurriculum.tki.org.nz/curriculum_updates