An innovative scheme aimed at helping students think about tertiary career options is making a difference to the number of young Māori who are staying at school and gaining national qualifications.
KATTI, short for KEI Ā TĀTOU TE IHI is a leadership and development programme for high school students in Years 10-13 that is proving successful in changing attitudes towards tertiary education.
Translating loosely as ‘We have the power!’ KATTI has been running since 2002 and was set up to help young Māori achieve at school and think about gaining workable national qualifications.
From humble beginnings, the programme runs in conjunction with 10 other organisations across Auckland including tertiary providers and support services, and is proving successful in changing attitudes towards further education.
More than 50 schools participate in the scheme at different venues in the wider Auckland area, including a two-day workshop for around 90 Year 10 students this week at the Faculty of Education. Māori role models from the Universities of Auckland and Otago, Massey University, Unitec, and Manukau Institute of Technology will work with students to identify their dreams and help them put their goals into action.
Back in 1986, 53.4% of Māori leaving school did so with no qualifications, meaning that over half were falling through the education system. By 1996 this had decreased to 39.0% (Source: Statistics NZ). At the time of the 2006 census this had dropped dramatically to 21%, but in the opinion of KATTI mentors this figure was still far too high - especially considering that the percentage across school leavers without qualifications of all ethnicities is just 13%. (Source: Ministry of Education briefing report).
Dennis Ngawhare, who is Maori Recruitment Advisor at the Faculty of Education, says the programme is a good opportunity for students to make points of contact with people who can point them in the right direction.
"For Māori it’s really important to have that face to face contact, or kanohi ki te kanohi - a one on one opportunity to talk about their futures. We look at what they want to do and help them think about making the right subject choices. There are team-building games in the afternoon, and we throw in lunch as well."
According to Dennis, his desire to help young Māori is fuelled by his own experiences. Although Dennis holds a Masters degree and is fluent in te reo Māori, he says it wasn’t always that way.
"Back in the 6th form at Glenfield College I didn’t want to stay at school," recalls Dennis, "but my careers advisor took me for a drive to a tertiary institution to talk to the Māori Liaison officer there. He gave me information and advice that helped me choose a Certificate and Diploma course in Travel and Tourism. It was a brilliant choice to get me started, and I’m so glad she took the time to do that. It makes a difference when you find a person who is willing to sit down with you and look over your options, and take the time to encourage you."
According to Dennis, it is also important to remove the ‘mystique’ of university study and also recognise that it may not be for everyone, so other options are included.
"Sometimes people come along and realise that university is not for them, so it’s helpful to have a presence from polytechnics and career advisors. We don’t push any particular agenda but take a collaborative approach to do what is best for each student."
The KATTI programme also has the support of the Ministry of Education Te Mana, NZMA, and Studylink. It is encouraging to note that the proportion of Māori enrolling in training programmes has increased annually since 1993, with Māori forming the largest ethnic group enrolled in training programmes since 1994. In 1993, 43 percent of all participants were Māori, and this had increased to 48 percent by 2000. (Source: Statistics NZ)
Photo: Puawai Wereta, Maori Equity Advisor at the University of Auckland, and Dennis Ngawhare, Maori Recruitment Advisor for the Faculty of Education are passionate about seeing more young Maori finish school and go on to tertiary study.
