Where Does Music Fit in Education?

What if there was one activity that could benefit every akonga (student), especially Maori in every school across Aotearoa?

• An activity that would help te akonga become more disciplined and confident?
• An activity that would allow te akonga to form lasting friendships?
• An activity that could improve grades and scores on standardised testing?

Fortunately, there is such an activity. Unfortunately, many schools, not all, will not make it a part of their curriculum, due to issues of funding and scheduling, which I get, having served on several school, board of trustees over the past 9 years.

This activity is something that everyone is aware of, but not everyone has a chance to participate in. This activity is music.

• Should Music education be a required component in all schools due to the social, cultural and personal benefits that it provides?

Participation in music boasts social benefits for te akonga. Music is a way to make friends. Every time a akonga is involved in music, they have the chance to meet new people, form lasting friendships and with Kapa Haka, learn a new culture and langauge

"my two children experienced this and continue to thrieve"

What would life be like without music? Imagine it for a moment.....no listening to music on the UE boom, radio and on a long drive. No music to dance to. There would not be any soundtracks in movies, and concerts and musicals would be nonexistent. Eventually, no one would even remember what music is.
Music can also be a comforting activity to many akonga.

My children, "Say, that for them, music is a way to relieve stress. When they feel frustrated, they like to play the piano, keyboard, guitar and listen to music to relax." For them, music classes are not necessarily something they participate in for a grade. They participate in music classes because they enjoy it, made new friends and want to be there"

We may not realise it, but music has a bigger effect on our lives than you may think, and we would definitely care if it was to disappear. Without music, life would never be the same. To keep music alive, te akonga must be educated about it in schools. Te Akonga will not only get to experience and enjoy what music has to offer, but will reap the innumerable benefits that come with music.

Should Music education be a required component in all schools due to the social, cultural and personal benefits that it provides?

And is this the same for Kapa Haka and Dance?

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