A new centre dedicated to raising the achievement of Pasifika students has been officially opened at the University of Canterbury’s College of Education.
The Pasifika Talanoa Centre will be a hub where a community of educators including principals, teachers, community leaders, academics and education advisors, can gather to help develop effective, innovative teaching and learning approaches to enable primary and secondary students to reach their full potential.
The centre will also be a base for professional learning and development to help raise awareness and understanding
of Pasifika cultural contexts.
UC Education Plus Pasifika Education Adviser Leali’ie’e Tofilau Tufulasi Taleni says he’s optimistic the centre, named after the Pasifika term talanoa – meaning conversation in a collaborative setting - will make a meaningful impact on accelerating Pacifika student achievement.
“The space will be used for professional development workshops, courses and fono (meetings). It will be an opportunity for the community of learners to come together to collaborate and weave together knowledge and ideas to support teachers and school leaders with the implementation of effective and innovative programmes to help students reach their full potential.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to develop ideas that can contribute to the Ministry of Education’s Pasifika Education Plan (PEP). I’m very confident about the impact this will have on lifting the achievement of Pasifika students.”
Mr Taleni says the reaction from the Pasifika community has been overwhelmingly positive.
“This is the first time we have had a centre dedicated to this course and the Pasifika community are very thankful for the allocation of this physical space at the College of Education. The Ministry of Education are also very enthusiastic about this initiative.”
For more information please contact:
-Tufulasi Taleni
Pasifika Education Adviser
College of Education
tufulasi.taleni@canterbury.ac.nz
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