Truancy and Discipline

While truancy and discipline issues may provide negative examples of contact with Māori parents, some schools have used these issues to open the door for further contact and to get feedback from parents. Several schools have involved Māori parents in disciplinary matters, a result of a growing awareness of the need to develop disciplinary policies and procedures that are more in tune with Māori ways of doing things. The following approaches came out of discussions with schools and Māori parents.

Provide clear guidelines for parents

It is good practice for schools to provide clear guidelines on disciplinary matters. One school with a predominantly Māori roll has worked closely with parents to eliminate violence from the school. This process has involved developing a discipline plan with parents. The plan, which is published and distributed to all parents, provides clear guidelines for how discipline problems will be dealt with.

One central North Island primary school presents the parents of all new children with a booklet that provides key information about the school, its mission statement, and rules of operation. Included is a one-page guideline on disciplining practices, emphasising disciplining as a three-way process between the parents, the school, and the pupil. It sets out in seven steps the process children who commit offences will go through. Parents know what will happen at each step and what their involvement is in the process. Parents have responded positively as they know what is expected of them and their child.

Ensure that there is "kanohi ki te kanohi" contact

Several schools have found it effective to visit Māori parents at home because they prefer personal contact on discipline issues. In one primary school, teachers deal directly with parents on truancy issues rather than using a truancy officer.

Respond to Māori preferences

All parents may feel ashamed and uncomfortable meeting the board over disciplinary matters. For Māori parents, it often helps to make provision for whānau or a support person to attend discussions. Some schools ask whether whānau wish to have karakia, and other schools have used the school marae as a venue for meetings on disciplinary matters.

Another suggestion has been to establish a small group, which reports to the board of trustees, to deal with discipline issues affecting Māori students.