Will’s Word: Pacific language programmes betray community needs

An investigation by PMN News, following an Official Information Act request, has revealed a dramatic reduction in funding for the Ministry of Education’s Pacific Bilingual Language Programmes.

The funding allocated for 2024-2025 has been cut by 54 per cent, dropping from $2.6 million in 2023-2024 to just $1.2 million.

This is a serious setback for our community, and there’s no other way of putting it.

The Ministry of Education has downplayed the cuts, describing them as a minor adjustment. However, such a reduction is far from insignificant.

The Pacific Bilingual Language Programmes are essential for preserving the languages of Pacific communities in New Zealand. They offer students the opportunity to learn in their native languages, which strengthens their cultural identity and educational outcomes.

What makes this decision even worse is that it was made without consultation with Pacific communities, teachers, or schools.

This lack of input from those directly affected reflects a broader disregard for the needs of Pacific people in the education system.

It’s no secret Pacific students are already doing it tough in this education system, so it’s frankly shocking that such a significant decision was made behind closed doors without engaging with the communities it will impact the most.

The timing of these cuts is particularly troubling given the ongoing challenges faced by Pacific languages in New Zealand.

According to the 2018 Census, only 37% of Pacific people can speak their native languages.

The reduction in funding is a clear setback for Pacific communities and their efforts to preserve their languages and culture in the education system – plain and simple – and rather outrageous.

That's Will's Word.