While there are valid cultural and educational reasons for promoting the use of Te Reo Māori in New Zealand schools, making it compulsory for all students may not be the most effective approach.
Students have diverse learning needs and interests. Compulsory Te Reo might not be suitable or engaging for all students. Forcing it on those of us who are not interested could lead to disengagement and resentment, potentially undermining the very goal of preserving and promoting the language. For that matter forcing people to learn any subject matter can sometimes lead to a backlash against it. In the case of Māori, this might generate resistance and resentment, hindering the broader goal of promoting and preserving the language.
It is also the case that many teachers may not be adequately prepared to teach Te Reo Māori at the required level of proficiency. Compulsory inclusion could result in a subpar instruction and hinder the language's reputation. To fix this issue we would need to divert resources into training more teachers and into the curriculum's development, which will divert attention and funding away from other important subjects and educational priorities, which I am sorry to say this, will probably be more useful to most peoples future in a global society than Māori.
Cultural immersion and respect should be voluntary rather than imposed, individuals and families should have the choice to determine their educational priorities, including whether or not to learn Te Reo. An approach that encourages students to explore and appreciate different cultures, including Te Reo Māori, through elective courses or extracurricular activities, might be more effective in promoting cultural awareness and sensitivity.
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