Māori Education Foundation

Rights Information
Reference
43227
Media type
Audio
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Rights Information
Reference
43227
Media type
Audio
Duration
00:23:11
Taonga Māori Collection
Yes
Credits
RNZ Collection
Fowler, Leo (b.1902, d.1976), Interviewer
Sturm, J. C., Interviewee
Ball, D. G. (Douglas George), 1895-1986, Interviewee

Leo Fowler speaks with Mr Douglas George Ball, the chairperson of the Māori Education Foundation (MEF) and Mrs Baxter [Te Kare Papuni or Jacqueline Sturm], a representative of the Māori Womens Welfare League (MWWL) and a member of the selection committee from Taranaki.

The foundation was formed to raise funds to educate Māori children from all levels, from preschool through to University level.

Mr Ball speaks about the goals of the Foundation and its awards. He speaks about the work of the foundation towards achieving its goals; to keep Māori children in school.
He talks about Māori access to preschool education - Play Centre and Kindergarten. Māori children had lower attendance at such organisations, partly due to lack of enough centres. To address this, the Foundation is publishing a book to educate parents on preschool education in the home. He says that many children - Māori and Pākehā - start school disadvantaged because their parents have not taken the time to talk with them enough.
Mr Ball also distinguishes between the Foundation and the Education Department. The Department pays for the Foundation's administration expenses but does not influence their work.

Mrs Baxter speaks about her role on the selection committee. Mr Ball is the chair and refuses to hold selection committee meetings without the Māori members, so at least half of the decision making ability lies with Māori members. They make decisions on giving awards - mainly scholarships to Māori children to attend boarding school. She advises Māori parents that they should always ask the Foundation about awards, even if they doubt their child's eligibility. Leo Fowler points out that disadvantaged parents might have difficulties filling in the necessary forms; Mrs Baxter suggests that they should ask the school or welfare officers for help with making the application. She acknowledges that applications can fill people with horror, but says that all their selection is made from the paperwork in front of them.
Mrs Baxter says that all of their awards are made on the virtues of merit and need, from post-primary to university standard.

Mr Ball elaborates on their selection criteria and what the awards can be used for. He says the Foundation is there to support the education of Māori children, not for religious reasons and therefore will not send children to religious schools. Neither will they support sending a child to a boarding school if a good local school is available, unless their home life is not conducive to furthering their education or unless the child has been getting into trouble.