The “Iri’iri Kapua” preparatory for the Ui Ariki, knowledge holders, presenters and elected facilitators for the ‘E Kaku’anga Kura Ki Avaiki’ (Re-imagining the Foundation of our National Education), got underway this week at the Nikao CICC Hall.

More than 40 participants attended the preparatory workshop to better prepare themselves and actively contribute to the upcoming education and heritage national symposium next week from Monday May 5 – Thursday May 8.

Spokesperson for Te Ui Ariki Ngateitei o te Kuki Airani (UANKA), Puna Rakanui says the purpose is to basically prepare, physically and mentally, the Ui Ariki, Aronga Mana, and Knowledge Holders, for the conference.

He said members identified unique customary and traditional values as potential tools and are encouraged to contribute and champion initiatives at the symposium.

“I do feel, and I do believe, that we need to prepare our people before they enter the symposium since we will be dealing with education material, the contents of the curriculum, models from abroad, and presentations from high-level technical people. 

“Our members need to grasp the understanding right at the beginning and start appreciating the fact that they are a part of this symposium – that’s primarily what I'm trying to achieve,” said Rakanui.

The symposium will target the contents and curriculum of the Cook Islands education system, nationally.

“However, we know that we will not be able to change the curriculum overnight. We understand that.”

According to Rakanui, Te Maraurau O Te Pae Apii (Ministry of Education) is leading this initiative. Education and UANGKA have both signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to help bring this to fruition.

“Our education curriculum for our children is basically driven from an outside, New Zealand perspective,” said Rakanui.

“In many respects, we should say thank you to New Zealand. But, we have come to a stage where we have an opportunity to improve that -to bring Māori local content into our school. We have this opportunity.”

He says the Cook Islands have predominantly accommodated both the English and Māori languages in every public event.

“If you go to Samoa, if you sit in a Samoan event, they speak in Samoan. Why do we speak in English? Why are we so accommodating?”

Rakanui believes there is a need to strengthen our children in both English and Māori languages.

“English is very important for communication purposes. Not only here, but as well as abroad - a language to communicate in - and that is English.

“Because of our traditions, our customs, and our heritage, we need to enhance our language as well.

 “We're not doing it right in schools, we're not doing it right in the community, in our homes, or in our workplace which are all dominated by English. We need Māori.”

Presenters at the preparatory said there is a need to strengthen both English and Māori. A teacher shared that even parents are saying they don't want their children to learn Māori.

“In my view, we need to collaborate.

“Our priority at the moment is Māori because we do believe that the system at the moment is predominantly English.

“Added to that is the issue of the limited number of Māori-speaking teachers available - this is a fact.

“It's not that we don't have teachers or capable people in the Kukan who can speak Māori and help teach our students. They are at home. A lot of those who are capable are retired.”

The salary packages of our teachers were also raised.

“We need to look after our people. We need to make it attractive so that our people can respond to these needs. It's huge.

“We are not saying ignore the English. We are saying, look, the Māori content in our schools we believe, is not enough, it's insufficient.

“And if the trend we see today is continued, we will no longer sustain the Maori content in the next 10 years. We need to seriously look into this,” said Rakanui.

When the preparatory workshops are completed this week, the facilitators will work putting together a document for the members to endorse and take into the symposium.