Culture Speaks Cultural Relationships and Classroom Learning

Professor Russell Bishop and Mere Berryman interviewed a large number of Maori high school students, their families, teachers and school principals. These interviews have produced a disturbing snapshot of the current New Zealand education system. The message is simple and powerful. Classroom relationships are paramount. Disabling professional and personal relationships between teachers and Maori students have a direct negative effect on students' learning. But the good news from the research is that a professional development programme, Te Kotahitanga, has been developed. This identifies the barriers to educational achievement of Maori and proposes solutions.