Qualified care for Pacific children

Pacific-focused learning has become increasingly sought-after among parents, as the wish for children to identify with their Pacific culture and language grows. The NZ Childcare Association recognises the benefits by providing Pasifika educators with a set qualification. VAIMOANA TAPALEAO reports.

To provide quality teaching to a young child is to set them up for life. Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa/ NZ Childcare Association’s National Diploma in Teaching (ECE Pasifika), helps potential teachers better their knowledge and skills in the educating of young minds, in a Pasifika setting.

Maintaining cultural identity through language and custom is one of the key philosophies at Richmond Road’s A’oga Fa’a Samoa in Ponsonby, central Auckland. Established in 1984, the centre promotes Samoan language and culture, raising children around this particular environment. One of the key driving factors of the centre’s success has been its staff; qualified to care for the needs of young children.

Milo Laulu Fili, Asoono Williams and Lei Filimaua are staff members at the A’oga Fa’a Samoa, all set to graduate with a National Diploma of Teaching in early childhood. The three women, all of Samoan descent, have been studying towards the qualification for three years. Doing so proved to be difficult at times. But the result has been one of success says Milo, who hails from the village of Fasito’o-Tai.

“It was hard in the beginning; especially because I was a bit older. But once I finished the diploma it felt really good. It was something I could show to my kids, encouraging them to keep with education,” she says. Milo, who has been at the A’oga Fa’a Samoa for ten years, acknowledges that the course taught her things that are not necessarily known to parents.

“We were taught that each child is different, therefore their minds and their personalities need to be catered to differently. In the ‘normal’ way, if a child cries you yell at them to stop. But at the course, we were taught to come down to the child’s level and to talk to them normally, like you would an adult,” she says.

Asoono, who comes from Puleia, worked as a primary school teacher in Gataivai before heading to New Zealand. She says getting into early childhood education was something she’s always wanted to do, as she likes children.

“I want to help the younger generation. Teaching young children is important because this is the very beginning of their education,” she says. “The course is also a great opportunity for Pasefika educators. You can extend your knowledge and become a better teacher to the kids,” Asoono says.

For Lei, whose family hails from Suifaga and Tuasivi in Savaii, the move to get into childcare education started off when she took her niece to school one day. “I took her to the ao’ga amata at our church and they asked me to stay a while. I ended up making the kids’ lunches, getting involved in daily activities and then ended up here at A’oga Fa’a Samoa,” she tells.

Lei points out the positive aspects of having early childcare centres such as the Richmond Road facility; saying: “Having the A’oga Fa’a Samoa is good for children. The environment is good and they get to know and understand their culture and language better, because that’s what’s around them.”

The programme offered at Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa/ NZ Childcare Association, is unique with its centre-based approach, enabling Pacific teachers to continue teaching while they qualify. It aims to effectively promote the learning and celebration of the cultural values of Pasifika children and families. Acting Director Teacher education Sue Vaealiki says: “It’s important to have qualified Pasifika teachers who can be effective in their own communities.

Upon completing the programme, they have gained the knowledge, skills and disposition to support the development and learning of our Pasifika children,” she says. Jan Taouma, the manager at A’oga Fa’a Samoa, says the good thing about the National Diploma of Teaching is that it allows staff to train and work at the same time.

“These three teachers were able to put theory into practice,” she says. The A’oga Fa’a Samoa is located in Ponsonby’s Richmond Road Primary School. It was the first childcare centre of its kind in New Zealand, being the sole Pacific Island language pre-school at the time.

Many similar Pacific language childcare centres now exist, with Cook Islands, Fijian and others. Jan says the A’oga Fa’a Samoa has children from a variety of cultures, giving them a unique opportunity to better their language skills. “A’oga Fa’a Samoa is a total immersion unit, giving children a real sense of Samoan culture.”

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