Te Whāriki woven throughout NZTC India qualifications

The New Zealand early childhood education curriculum framework Te Whāriki is being shared far from the shores of where it was originally penned.

Students studying at New Zealand Tertiary College (NZTC) India recently attended a workshop in south Mumbai at a centre called By the Sea to learn about the founding principles and strands that make up the curriculum.

Te Whāriki (‘The Mat’) is the New Zealand Ministry of Education’s framework that emphasises the learning partnership between teachers, parents and families. Teachers (kaiako) are encouraged to weave a holistic curriculum to support children’s (tamariki) learning and development in the early childhood setting and beyond.

Its four interweaving principles and five strands emphasise the importance of holistic care, and the relationships between young children, teachers, families and communities.

NZTC first introduced Te Whāriki in India in 2009 after the establishment of the India office in Bandra, Mumbai.

Since then free Te Whāriki workshops have been delivered to centres under the management of NZTC’s Educational Partners and it has been incorporated into the internationally recognised early childhood education qualifications offered by NZTC India.

The 11 students who attended the most recent workshop are studying towards different qualifications ranging from certificate to degree level.

NZTC India Enrolments Manager Nahida Coelho says there are parallels between the multiculturalism of India and New Zealand that make using the same curriculum in both countries applicable.

Founding principles and strands of Te Whāriki

“The principles and strands can be woven through the daily activities taking into consideration the diversity of the country.”

Coelho has received positive feedback from students who attended the workshop.

Student Neeta Savlani works at an international school called American School of Bombay and enjoyed the clear explanation of the curriculum.

“The whole study and woven strands of Te Whāriki were untangled and explained in a simple manner with great hands on activities such as songs and skits which gave us a very open view of how Te Whāriki works and how it can be considered in our own early childhood centres.”