Annette Tofaeono shares inclusive literacy strategies at ACAL 2025, highlighting Tapatoru and DFQM frameworks from Aotearoa.
Category: Inclusive education
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Championing Inclusive Education in New Zealand: In Aotearoa New Zealand, tertiary education encompasses vital areas like adult literacy, Māori and Pacific cultural capability, and support for neurodiversity. Neglecting these areas can lead to economic stagnation, social inequality, and loss of cultural heritage. Addressing these gaps is crucial for economic resilience, social cohesion, and maintaining educational excellence. Advocacy, collaboration, and professional development are key in shaping an inclusive and supportive educational landscape for all New Zealanders.
The Tapatoru Programme from Aotearoa, globally recognized for its culturally inclusive education, aligns well with the 2021 Code of Practice produced by NZQA. The Programme’s focus on cultural competency, learner wellbeing, and active engagement mirrors the Code’s objectives. Tapatoru supports many educational goals laid out in the Code, but does not address administrative aspects, necessitating additional strategies for full compliance.
Ako Aotearoa’s Tapatoru Programme has seen major successes; 92.31% of educators have adopted new teaching approaches learned from the programme, with 91.67% overcoming challenges thanks to its support. The programme’s core values like kinship, care and respect, spirituality, and love have driven these transformations, leading to an enhanced, inclusive learning environment.
The Tapatoru Programme, influenced by Ako Aotearoa, is revolutionizing tertiary education in New Zealand. 2023 witnessed significant advancements in the programme, blending core values like relationships, respect, spirituality, and empathy into teaching methods. The programme now provides free, quality resources on Pathways Awarua and is continually expanding to cover diverse learning needs, including technology-enhanced learning and ESOL foundations. The Tapatoru Programme is molding a competent, future-ready teaching workforce in New Zealand.
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