Better educational success for Pacific students critical to New Zealand’s future
A comprehensive report analysing Pacific students’ participation and achievement at all levels of education makes a compelling case for more attention to their success, the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs says.
“We have today co-published the first two reports in the Pacific Progress 2010 series which examines Pacific peoples’ place in New Zealand’s economic, social and cultural life,” Ministry chief executive Dr Colin Tukuitonga said. “One looks at the demographics and the other education.”
“When you marry the two it is quite clear that a productive and prosperous New Zealand will be increasingly contingent on productive and prosperous Pacific New Zealanders.”
Citing some of the findings of Education and Pacific peoples in New Zealand, Dr Tukuitonga said education was fundamental to the well-being of individuals, their families and communities, and New Zealand as a whole.
“Nationally a more highly-educated workforce boosts productivity and economic well-being. In our communities people’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being, as well as their income, are all better at higher education levels. And children's longer-term educational outcomes are influenced more by their parents’ education and income levels than by their gender or ethnicity.
“There are many factors involved in educational success,“ Dr Tukuitonga said. “Parents, families, communities, and teachers all have a critical role in ensuring children’s educational success. This report identifies potential changes which will help us all make a difference in early childhood, schooling and tertiary education.”
Statistics NZ Acting Government Statistician Cathryn Ashley-Jones said “the series’ objective is to inform understanding of how best to improve outcomes for Pacific peoples. The statistics really show the contrast between the general population which includes a large segment of ageing baby boomers and the young Pacific population.”
Pacific Progress 2010 is a collaborative project in which Statistics NZ has provided much of the data, analytical support and resources for the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs to lead the analysis and commentary.
Further titles in the series, to be published later this year, include incomes and living standards, health, family and community strength, employment and business.
ENDS
To see Education and Pacific Peoples in New Zealand and Demographics of New Zealand’s Pacific population go to www.stats.govt.nz/pacific-progress
