Supporting Pasifika students
Culturally responsive strategies to meet the needs of Pasifika students who require additional support.
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In the guide we have used the term “family". This is inclusive of Aiga (Samoa), Matavuvale (Fiji), Magafaoa (Niue), Kàiga (Tokelau), Kàinga (Tonga), Ngutuare Tangata (Cook Island), and Kaaiga (Tuvalu).
Strategies for action
Five key strategies to support the inclusive design of learning environments for Pasifika students.
Know your Pasifika learners
Demonstrate care by continually investing in getting to know your students. Make connections to their experiences and contexts to support learning and strengthen relationships.
"What makes a good teacher for me is like if they get along with me 'cause I hate it when teachers can't get along with me, because I feel really sad and stuff like that, 'cause they don't know me."
Two suggestions for implementing this strategy:
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Includes:
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Ask the student what will help
Includes:
- Resources
Establish reciprocal relationships
Develop positive relationships with the community of people who know the student well.
A fia vave oo lou va’a, alo na o ‘oe, ae a fia tuli mamao
le taunu’uga tatou ‘alo’alo faatasi.
If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.
Samoan proverb
Four suggestions for implementing this strategy:
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Partner with parents and whānau
Includes:
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Create a welcoming environment
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Discuss students' learning and wellbeing
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Support families to help children learn at home
Includes:
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Build community networks
Welcome your community into the classroom and take your class out to the community.
Highlights from Polyfest where schools and the community connect in a meaningful context.
No captions or transcript
Two suggestions for implementing this strategy:
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Value parent and community expertise
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Strengthen Pasifika engagement
Includes:
- Video
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Build a culturally responsive environment
Students are more likely to achieve when they see themselves and their culture positively reflected in the subject matter and learning contexts.
Build relationships with Pasifika students. Finding connections will help overcome differences.
Four suggestions for implementing this strategy:
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Integrate Pasifika languages and practices
Includes:
- Video
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Provide leadership opportunities
Includes:
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Support English language learners
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Includes:
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Explore Pasifika perspectives on inclusion
Develop an understanding of the different perspectives and values held by Pasifika parents and whānau.
Pacific parents believed it was important that school staff, particularly teachers, had some understanding about working with Pacific families. Where teachers had an understanding of the different Pacific ethnicities and values it was easier for Pacific parents to develop relationships with the school.
Two suggestions for implementing this strategy:
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Explore family beliefs, values, and expectations
Includes:
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Includes:
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Key resources
Tapasā: Cultural competencies framework for teachers of Pacific learners
Tapasā is a resource for all teachers of Pacific learners. It is designed to support teachers to become more culturally aware, confident and competent when engaging with Pacific learners and their parents, families and communities.
Publisher: Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga
- Download PDF (1.1 MB)
Improving education outcomes for Pacific Learners
A summary of ERO’s report for schools, families and the wider community. The leaflet provides a snapshot of what was found, as well as highlighting the key elements for improving Pacific student engagement.
Publisher: Education Review Office | Te Tari Arotake Matauranga
- Download PDF
Understanding special education from the perspectives of Pasifika families
Read time: 101 min
This report identifies: the strengths of current service provision, barriers to accessing special education services for Pasifika students; and the extent to which cultural perspectives on disability and special education and the low numbers of Pasifika professionals affect engagement and satisfaction with special education services for Pasifika families.
Publisher: Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga
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How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: Pasifika students
Strategies for action:
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Know your Pasifika learnersShow suggestions for Know your Pasifika learners
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Establish reciprocal relationshipsShow suggestions for Establish reciprocal relationships
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Build community networksShow suggestions for Build community networks
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Build a culturally responsive environmentShow suggestions for Build a culturally responsive environment
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Explore Pasifika perspectives on inclusionShow suggestions for Explore Pasifika perspectives on inclusion
