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Inclusive Education

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Date
17 April 2024
Link
inclusive.tki.org.nz/guides/supporting-pacific-learners
11440 [Pasifika-students.jpg]

Supporting Pacific learners

Culturally responsive strategies to meet the needs of Pacific learners who require additional support.

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In the guide we have used the term “family". This is inclusive of Aiga (Samoa), Matavuvale (Fiji), Magafaoa (Niue), Kàiga (Tokelau), Kàinga (Tonga), Ngutuare Tangata (Cook Island), and Kaaiga (Tuvalu).

Strategies for action

Five key strategies to support the inclusive design of learning environments for Pacific learners.

Develop cultural capability

When you understand the values of Pacific peoples you are in a better position to respond and acknowledge their differences. Your learners bring values that are important and matter to them. This includes cultural behaviour, ideals, standards and morals.

Video hosted on Vimeo http://vimeo.com/519280822

Source: Tapasa: Pacific values

Closed Captions

Source:
Tapasa: Pacific values
https://tapasa.tki.org.nz/teaching-stories/where-am-i/pacific-values/pacific-values/

Four suggestions for implementing this strategy:

  1. Uphold Pacific values

    Includes:

    • Video
    • Resources

  2. Success as Pacific learners

    Includes:

    • Video
    • Resources

  3. Develop critical consciousness

    Includes:

    • Video
    • Resources

  4. Lead inclusive practice

    Includes:

    • Video
    • Resources

Explore Pacific perspectives on inclusion

Develop an understanding of the different perspectives and values held by Pacific parents and families.

Pacific parents believed it was important that school staff, particularly teachers, had some understanding about working with Pacific families. Where teachers had an understanding of the different Pacific ethnicities and values it was easier for Pacific parents to develop relationships with the school.

Source: Partners in learning: Parents' voices (ERO, 2008) (opens in a new tab/window)

Source:
Partners in learning: Parents' voices (ERO, 2008)
https://ero.govt.nz/our-research/partners-in-learning-parents-voices

Two suggestions for implementing this strategy:

Know your Pacific learners

Demonstrate care by continually investing in getting to know your students. Make connections to their experiences and contexts to support learning and strengthen relationships. 

Video hosted on Vimeo http://vimeo.com/120408493

"What makes a good teacher for me is like if they get along with me 'cause I hate it when teachers can't get along with me, because I feel really sad and stuff like that, 'cause they don't know me."

Source: Pasifika Education Community (NZ) (opens in a new tab/window)

View transcript

Source:
Pasifika Education Community (NZ)
http://pasifika.tki.org.nz/Media-gallery/Effective-teaching-for-Pasifika-students/What-it-s-all-about

Two suggestions for implementing this strategy:

  1. Build relationships

    Includes:

    • Video
    • Resources

  2. Ask the student what will help

    Includes:

    • Video
    • Resources

Establish reciprocal relationships with families

Develop positive relationships with the community of people who know the student well.

A fia vave oo lou va’a, alo na o ‘oe, ae a fia tuli mamao

le taunu’uga tatou ‘alo’alo faatasi.

If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.

Samoan proverb

Four suggestions for implementing this strategy:

Build community networks

How might you weave Pacific community voice in a genuine and meaningful way through your learning programmes or setting?

Video hosted on Vimeo http://vimeo.com/350843354

Hear the voices of professional leaders talk about genuine consultation with their Pacific communities.

Source: Charles Palesoo (NZ) (opens in a new tab/window)

Closed Captions

Source:
Charles Palesoo (NZ)
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE-qagA1NPCHceO2CZpnYMw

Two suggestions for implementing this strategy:

Co-design a culturally sustaining environment

Students are more likely to achieve when they see themselves and their culture positively reflected in the subject matter and learning contexts.

Video hosted on Vimeo http://vimeo.com/113978804

Build relationships with Pacific learners. Finding connections will help overcome differences.

Source: Pasifika Education Communiy (NZ) (opens in a new tab/window)

View transcript

Source:
Pasifika Education Communiy (NZ)
http://pasifika.tki.org.nz/Media-gallery/Effective-teaching-for-Pasifika-students/Building-relationships#video-transcript

Four suggestions for implementing this strategy:

  1. Integrate Pacific languages and practices

    Includes:

    • Video
    • Resources

  2. Provide leadership opportunities

    Includes:

    • Video
    • Resources

  3. Support English language learners

    Includes:

    • Video
    • Resources

  4. Use technologies

    Includes:

    • Video
    • Resources

Key resources

report cover

ERO report: Learning in a Covid-19 World: The Impact of Covid-19 on Pacific Learners

Pacific communities have faced the challenges of Covid-19 with resilience and schools have put in a range of responses to support Pacific learners through the disruption. This report shines a light on these challenges and shares successful strategies.

Publisher: Education Review Office | Te Tari Arotake Matauranga

teaching pacific learners report

Best practice for teaching Pacific learners: Pacific Evidence Brief 2019

This Pacific Evidence Brief sets out what is known about what works and what does not work in supporting Pacific learners to achieve. This will inform ongoing efforts to enhance equity, excellence, belonging and wellbeing for Pacific learners through the education system.

pacific language weeks

Pacific language weeks

Pacific languages are a key cornerstone for the health and wellbeing of Pacific people. History shows us that a loss of language leads to a loss of culture and identity.

Publisher:

Screen Shot 2018 10 17 at 12.27.31 PM

Tapasā: Cultural competencies framework for teachers of Pacific learners

Tapasā is a resource for all teachers of Pacific learners. It is designed to support teachers to become more culturally aware, confident and competent when engaging with Pacific learners and their parents, families and communities.

Supporting Maori students through ako e e learning

Understanding special education from the perspectives of Pasifika families

Read time: 101 min

This report identifies: the strengths of current service provision, barriers to accessing special education services for Pasifika students; and the extent to which cultural perspectives on disability and special education and the low numbers of Pasifika professionals affect engagement and satisfaction with special education services for Pasifika families.

More options

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Inclusive classroom culture
- Popular

Build an inclusive classroom culture that values all students, their families/whānau, and communities. Read four strategies

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Parents, whānau, and communities​​

​Involve parents, families, whānau, and communities in the learning of their children and young people. Read four strategies

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Supporting ākonga Māori

Use inclusive teaching and learning strategies to support ākonga Māori across the curriculum.​ Read six strategies

Browse all guides

How to use this site

Guide to Index of the guide: Supporting Pacific learners

Strategies for action:

Key resources:

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This is a Ministry of Education initiative​​​​​​​. We shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes.

This information was downloaded/printed from the Ministry of Education's website "Inclusive Education". Except where otherwise noted it is Crown Copyright 2018.

Information on the Inclusive Education website is regularly updated so we recommend you check the website version of this information to ensure it remains current.