Education Minister Erica Stanford has ordered that new additions to the “Ready to Read Phonics Plus” series for five-year-olds exclude Māori words except for character names, affecting 12 forthcoming books.
The move, made in October, was based on advice that using two languages could confuse children learning English phonics, though evidence was mixed.
Existing books with Māori words will remain in circulation and may be reprinted, but Māori vocabulary will only be introduced from Year 2, alongside a planned English curriculum sequence to teach pronunciation and reading of Māori words.
Stanford said the decision balanced differing expert opinions.
Not good enough minister Stanford of the Zionist party. The word you are searching for is ELIMINATE.
Teaching the odd Maori word is supposedly confusing kids, but hey a bloke in a dress can be woman.