I agree that a goal of education is to better equip students for the future but I would also argue that there is not one primary goal. Another equally important goal of education is to provide a wide range of knowledge on a broad range of topics. If we were talking about how we should better fund both of these ideas, I think there should be a wide range of changes within the education taught and the system that provides the education. For example, having a compulsory second language taught with emphasis on them being on the more universally applicable languages like you stated. But also a compulsory Te Reo Māori class taught, at least until intermediate years. Not just the language but the history and the culture, for reasons I have stated earlier. I don’t think that we should have one or the other, but both and maybe in different ways. I agree that when something is forced upon one, resentment can often emerge. There is already a lot of prejudice within Māori language and culture so I can also see how this could pose as an issue. Although if the government, the representatives of NZ, don’t show there unwavering support for the learning of Te Reo, by pushing it or atleast heavily advocating it, especially because it was once shunned, who’s to say that the community would think to think any differently? If you don’t show you care, why should people care I guess is what I’m trying to say there. I would also like to add language plays a very important role in society. It influences our cultural societies and our social realities. Latin is also a dead language, but is offered in many places and is rather popular and sometimes even pushed. Whilst I understand it is the base of the English language, that’s it’s importance. Just like Te Reo Māori has its own importance, it’s the base of New Zealand.
I also agree that there should be a focus in change of how content is taught. I don’t think the problem is that it is disengaging, I for one very much enjoyed learning… Read more
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