This Literature Review on Pasifika Education Issues was commissioned to provide valuable information about those issues for Pacific education which have been researched, and those which have not in order to address policy requirements. It covers research since 1990 related to primary, secondary, tertiary and teacher education sectors. It includes some recommendations for further research on Pasifika education issues.
Purpose
The broad aim of this study is to identify and review existing research on Pacific education issues across the whole of the education sector and including those involving Pacific communities. The Review includes research reports, related publications and unpublished research studies such as academic theses that are solely about Pacific education issues, as well as some for which Pacific education is a component.
In addition to identifying the current range of information and findings related to Pacific education issues, this study is intended to contribute towards the identification of research topics which the Ministry may investigate as part of the initiatives aimed at improving achievement and reducing disparities for Pacific students.
The Ministry brief for the study established the following research questions:
- What research and related studies have been carried out on Pacific education issues in New Zealand?
- What are the key findings from the research?
- Are the findings similar or otherwise?
- What target groups (if any) were involved in the research?
- What issues/areas are most researched?
- What appear to be the critical factors impacting upon learning outcomes for Pacific students?
- What were the limitations for each of the research studies reviewed and are the limitations similar? For example, in relation to quality and scope?
- What areas of research appear to have been neglected which would contribute to increased understanding of Pacific education issues?
- What recommendations for future research can be made in order to understand the issues of Pacific education in New Zealand?
Methodology
This Review brings together a collection of research literature relating to Pacific education in New Zealand, as well as some relating to Pacific education in other locations. In addition to education texts and journal articles from around the Pacific and New Zealand, the sources consulted for this literature review include sources from Pacific education conferences proceedings, reports by the Ministry of Education, unpublished Masters and PhD Theses, dissertations and essays.
Drawing on the literature located as well as resources related to their own teaching and research experience, each of the research team reviewed literature relevant to the allocated sub-sector and developed a sub-sector chapter and accompanying list of references. These were then woven together.
For each sub-sector, research findings about the broad themes of access, participation and outcomes were sought, as were those to do with educational issues such as languages and literacy, curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, school and classroom management, governance, school/community interactions, research approaches and processes, and ethnicity /gender/social class complexities.