Te Whaariki , Empowerment Education

Te Whaariki is an educational philosophy in New Zealand based on the empowerment of children. It aims that children are able

To grow up as competent and confident learners and communicators, healthy in mind, body, and spirit, secure in their sense of belonging and in the knowledge that they make a valued contribution to society.

(New Zealand Ministry of Education 1996)

This way of thinking is woven into everything done in schools, homes and care situations – the phrase means in Maori “a woven mat for all to stand on”. Its core principles are:

• empowerment to develop
• focusing on all aspects of children’s needs and requirement
• involving the family and community
• learning through positive relationships with adults and peers

Adults should therefore not be authoritarian. The backgrounds and cultures of all children are respected, and the sense of belonging that go with these. Children should be involved actively in their own learning and development, active learners rather than passive recipients of information. Teachers become fellow learners with the children and with their families and they are free to develop their curriculum and strategies within this framework of empowerment and positivity.