Is Our Government Providing Equal Educational Opportunities???

It has been said that New Zealand is a leading example of Democracy and Equality in all aspects of life, from Living conditions to Education. But are we ( Students) being given Equal Opportunities? in a lot of Surveys and studies done by the ministry of education target the Maori and pacific students.The focus to improve their numeracy and literacy skills and/or encourage a mind set focus and interest in the subject at hand. At times opportunities such as out-of-school trips pop up to help engage students in certain topics, however only a certain few are selected to go. If you are of the ethnicity Maori and/or Pacifika then you receive a letter inviting you on the trip. The problem is though, Maori and Pacifika children are NOT the only children struggling at school! all the others struggle just as much! But if you are not the "Right" ethnicity then you are not given the same opportunities to engage your learning. Studies that show that maori and pasifika children struggle more than others is rubbish. every child no matter what they score on a national standard test ( which by the way Hekia Parata- Minister for Education- says are just guidelines to help children not discourage) . A child can individually improve but should not be given Individual opportunities that are greater than another child's. We, the youth of this nation deserve equal opportunities, especially in education. As a 15 year old female of the European (Ireland) ethnicity, i am concerned to be entering NCEA Lvel 1(year 11) in the upcoming new year of 2017. The Exams are daunting enough as it is, but to know that my peers who happen to be a specific ethnicity are getting more help and opportunities than me is even more discouraging and daunting. As a young woman entering into her first year of NCEA I would like the comforting knowledge that i will be getting equal opportunities as every other student in New Zealand. This is not a Supremacist or Racial discriminating attack on Maori and Pacifika, but a humble request that our government provides  equal educational opportunities for all students, all ages,genders and races here in New Zealand. Racial Segregation starts off small but can lead to nation to be divided and full of hate, New Zealand has had its own share of racism so its time for equal educational opportunities. Equal Education today, and an equal world tommorow! #EqualEducation #EqualNZ its the little things that make it big, one small step for NZ leads a step for the world....

Bill English's First Day

yesterday (Tuesday 13th December 2016) was Hon. Bill English's first question time as prime minister of New Zealand.just about a full house and full gallery by the 2:00pm start. One question that raised discussions and forced the speaker to call for order was- 4. ANDREW LITTLE to the PRIMEMINSTER: Has he met with the families of the pike river miners today:if not, why not?" ( taken from the questions for oral answer 13/12/16). Mr Prime Minister said that he had not been able to today on such short notice but is hoping to before the Christmas break if not then after. Hon. Andrew Little ( Leader of the Labour party) asked English if he would come with him afterwards to meet the families. English replied saying that to meet with families with the opposition is to show that this is a political issue which it isn't. It seems that Mr PrimeMinsters only argument was that he would not risk more kiwi lives to recover the bodies of those who perished that fatal day back in 2010. He said that it goes against health and safety policy. What angers me most about this, is that if Health and Safety was such a big issue then why, six years ago did a mine explode, killing everyone inside!? Why didn't health and safety matter when the pike river mine accident occurred. it is time our government stopped messing about with this rescue mission. #BringOurBoysHome