Maori grades improving at schools and colleges | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

Maori are leaving school with higher qualifications and enrolling in higher level courses.

Last year, Waiariki Institute of Technology had about 693 full-time Maori students studying level four to seven courses, which jumped to about 843 students this year.

Waiariki Institute of Technology chief executive officer Dr Pim Borren had initially thought the recession had something to do with the increase in Maori students, considering there were high unemployment rates among Maori.

 Dr Borren and national secondary school spokesman Patrick Walsh says more Maori students are staying at school longer and are leaving school with higher qualifications.

Dr Borren said there had been an increase in Maori students in higher level courses at Waiariki, proof that Maori students were either leaving school with higher qualifications or were attending other tertiary providers earning the lower qualifications before enrolling in higher level qualifications.

Waiariki courses popular among Maori students included nursing, social science, early childhood and tourism, he said.

Madia Diamond is enrolled in the diploma of teaching (early childhood education) programme.

The 24-year-old left secondary school with a school certificate but only recently decided to further her qualifications.

She was a support healthcare worker before enrolling in the early childhood teaching course.

Ms Diamond said she decided to study at Waiariki because she wanted a degree and felt like she was mature enough to deal with the studies.

She said it was important for Maori to pursue higher level qualifications to get better jobs.

"I think it's absolutely fantastic, it's about time that we all got our act together and aim higher, rather than lower," she said.

Secondary Principals' Association of New Zealand president, John Paul College principal Patrick Walsh, said Maori secondary school students were staying at school longer at all Rotorua schools and were leaving school with at least NCEA level two.

Students who gained NCEA level two and above had more opportunities to study at polytechnics or universities, he said.

"I think it's just a very positive trend and also goes to show that secondary schools are doing a better job with Maori and Pacific students."

Mr Walsh said one reason Maori students were staying in school and achieving was because schools were becoming more sensitive to their needs and ensuring education programmes suited their interests.

Te Arawa Fisheries general manager Shane Heremaia said having Maori gaining higher qualifications was a focus of the organisation.

"It's part of our strategy to develop Te Arawa people at the tertiary level so that they gain better jobs [and higher] incomes, which is better for their families," he said.

Te Arawa Fisheries awarded 45 scholarships to tertiary students as part of its focus on encouraging higher education.