By Vanessa Bidois
HAMILTON - Plans by a Waikato school to single out Maori pupils who fail to show up for class have been criticised by Mauri Pacific MP Tukoroirangi Morgan as tyrannical.
Hamilton's Fraser High will launch the campaign next term after a 21/2-year review of Maori attendance and achievement.
Principal Martin
Elliott said he would interview parents of every Maori student, track every senior Maori student daily and encourage extra study.
Mr Elliott said the link between poor grades and absenteeism had been confirmed by a six-month study.
Only two of 10 Maori students attended all 40 periods in one subject. One student did not go to 14 periods.
The school has nearly 300 Maori pupils, making up 20 per cent of the roll.
"I don't believe for one moment that Maori kids are inherently dumber than non-Maori kids - that's not the issue at all.
"If you want to address issues of Maori student achievement, then the first thing you've got to do is get them to school every day, just like non-Maori."
However, Mr Morgan said the strategy might have a detrimental effect. "He would be better utilising strategies that work as opposed to being the tyrant and the dictator that our students and Maori will perceive him to be.
"The position of being the sheriff in town is a measure that will not be well received among Maori parents."
Mr Morgan said it would be better to replicate what worked for Maori students at places like Ngaruawahia High School and Te Wharekura Kaupapa Maori a Rohe o Rakaumanga in Huntly.
However, Tainui kaumatua Hare Puke backed the initiative.
"It's the only thing you can do - you can't sit back and walk away from it. Someone had to take the initiative and that's why I applaud it," Mr Puke said.
Cathy Dewes, chairwoman of the national association of Maori immersion schools, Te Runanganui o Nga Kura Kaupapa Maori o Aotearoa, said the problem could lie with the school and the education system.
"The vast majority of kura kaupapa Maori are applying for composite school status which will allow them to retain high-school-aged students.
"This is a direct response to the way the mainstream system has failed Maori students."
