Policy for enhancing Pasifika learner achievement in New Zealand: Supports and challenges

Abstract

Values understood to be fundamentally important across Pacific groups are central to New Zealand education policy focussed on enhancing school learning of Pasifika students. To explore teacher perceptions of three of these values (respect, service, leadership), interviews with primary and secondary teachers were collected and analysed and their lessons observed. Findings indicate policy implementation is challenged by a lack of deep understanding of Pasifika values amongst many teachers. Implications include that extensive professional development and urgent recruitment of teachers and school leaders with strong knowledge of Pasifika communities are needed to improve achievement opportunities for Pasifika learners and facilitate policy implementation.