Experiences of Maori Students in Mainstream High Schools: What Helped and What Didn't (August 2004)
Group or Institution
University of Waikato
Author(s)
Jodie Robertson
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to identify positive and negative factors which contributed to Maori students successfully completing secondary school and entering higher education. Semi structured, one on one and focus group interviews were carried out with twelve Maori students from the University of Waikato. While analysis is still continuing, four key themes have been identified.
(i) Personal “pro-success” factors: These included the participants’ values (work ethic, gaining opportunities, rising to challenges, being responsible to family), expectations (being the best, passing exams, making family proud, going to university), and a wish to break the cycle of negative Maori statistics. Each were key motivators towards academic success.
(ii) External support: Family, certain teachers, school support structures for Maori, peers, role models and family support of kaupapa Maori events were all identified in supporting the participants.
(iii) Lack of Support: The participants in this study identified that the main areas lacking in support were school tokenism (using Maori for special occasions), racism (feelings of being treated differently, stereotypes), challenges (Maori identity, excuses for Maori achievement), and being the cultural ambassador (expectation of knowing and doing everything Maori).
(iv) Coping strategies: The participants’ attitudes, values and families were highlighted as the main source of coping strategies when faced with challenges.
From the analysis so far, it appears that mainstream schools’, and teachers within mainstream school, vary widely in the support they provide to Maori students. Mainstream schools could do more to encourage whanau involvement in students’ education, to ensure Maori students have access to role models (including Maori teachers), to ensure that both mainstream Maori students and bilingual Maori students have equal access to Maori support, to integrate appropriate cultural practices into the life of the school and to protect Maori students from unfair expectations (e.g. having to be an expert on all things Maori).