Pasifika Learning Support Cluster Group
Whānau Manaaki Kindergartens is spearheading a new cluster group to push for better special education services (now known as Learning Support) for Pasifika families.
A meeting was held in Porirua last month with about 50 people attending including families, teachers from kindergartens, centres, language nests and schools, and the Ministry of Education.
Families spoke passionately about the need for more responsive services and the need for more professionals from a Pasifika background working in the learning support area.
Parents also spoke about the difficulties of accessing support, of being declined ORs funding several times, of having to provide the same details over and over again, of not having their language and cultural values recognised, and of not being informed about the support available.
As well as better services, families spoke of the need for better community attitudes when children are out and about.
Teachers spoke of the difficulties of raising issues with families because of the stigma within Pasifika communities of having a child needing support.
The meeting broke into small groups to brainstorm ideas for improving things for Pasifika children and families.
More meetings will be held and details will be provided in Korero at a later date.
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