Where every voice is heard…
12/06/2023
Dear Fellow Citizen,
In a world that often seeks to divide us, we can choose to come together in recognition of our shared humanity. Let us create spaces where every voice is heard, and every story holds value. Together, we can cultivate a culture of inclusivity, compassion, and respect, allowing everyone’s identity to flourish and contribute to the beautiful mosaic of our community. I am Pacific. I am both Chinese and Tahitian. My parents moved to New Zealand because their parents were in search of opportunities. I was born in this country and raised in a working-class family. My parents taught me the value of hard work and instilled in me a sense of pride in my heritage. Family and friends who were all from similar backgrounds surrounded me, and this shaped my identity as an individual. The values of my Chinese and Tahitian heritage have been an integral part of who I am today. I embrace my cultural identity and continue to learn more about my ancestry. I am proud of where I come from and strive to celebrate the diversity of cultures in the Pacific region.
As an undergraduate student at Victoria University in the 1990s, I recall the day I felt compelled to fight against injustice while sitting in my tutorial and listening to grim statistics about Pacific students in schools and tertiary education. It provoked my anger and frustration. Upon completing my BA degree in Education, I became a university tutor, specialising in teaching Pacific students so that they, like me, could pursue higher education. Education studies is an interdisciplinary field of study that seeks to understand, interpret, and improve education systems and policies. This was where I felt at home.
I considered this to be a personal journey would be my contribution to affecting change. I became a lecturer to take it to the next level. Over twenty years ago, I began instructing Pacific students in my classroom. During this time, I have witnessed their transition from being ignored to becoming visible and effecting substantial changes in their lives, communities, industries, and places of employment. I entered the field of education because of my dedication to people, justice, and altering spaces for Pacific people who have been subjected to injustices and inequities because of poor schooling outcomes. Through the education of these young minds, something potent was gaining: a new generation of possibility and change was emerging. My parents taught me that education opens doors of opportunity, and my teaching experience has confirmed this.
My students have developed a sense of self and have taken part in meaningful assessments that consider their individual knowledge and experiences. They develop the skills necessary to cultivate critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Education paved the way for Pacific people to obtain leadership positions in fields such as health, business, law, and government, allowing them to effect positive change in their families and communities. I have established a pathway for Pacific people to progress from undergraduate to graduate school. With me are PhD candidates working on profound and transformative topics about their communities. They are eminently qualified community leaders who are committed to applying their research for the betterment of society.
Education has the unparalleled power to transform lives, opening doors to boundless opportunities and illuminating the path to personal growth and fulfilment. It ignites sparks of curiosity, fanning the flames of knowledge that brighten even the darkest corners of ignorance. As the bedrock of society, education empowers individuals to rise above their circumstances, fostering resilience and self-confidence. When embraced wholeheartedly, it becomes a beacon of hope, inspiring us to envision a future where dreams take flight and the impossible becomes possible. Education budget cuts are not just numbers on a spreadsheet. They have real, devastating consequences for students, teachers, families, and communities. The quality of education suffers, with fewer opportunities and lower academic achievement. We need to prioritise education funding to equip future generations with the tools they need to thrive in a constantly evolving world. A failure to act will only widen the achievement gap between low-income students and their more affluent peers, hurting Pacific communities and their aspirations for a brighter future.
Pacific people in New Zealand have continued to face challenges, which is why education must become more relevant and accessible so they can realise their full potential and lead fulfilling lives. Creating fair educational pathways that allow our children to achieve their dreams and create positive change not only for themselves but also for future generations motivates me every day. I feel privileged to have been a part of this journey with my students, which begins at a young age and continues until they assume new leadership roles in our society. Because of the impact Pacific education has had on transforming lives, the future for Pacific people will be vastly different. When my students achieve their goals and succeed, it fills me with pride.
The proof that we make a difference is the success of our students after they graduate. It is gratifying to see how teachings empowered these young Pacific people to pursue their dreams, achieve goals that seemed so distant before they enrolled in my classes, and bring about a much-needed change in their communities. I am pleased to provide these Pacific students with the opportunity to develop their skills through my teaching. I hope that through this work, we can create an even more just society for all Pacific people, one in which everyone has access to quality education and can realise their full potential. I entered the field of education; it has been my passion from day one, and it will remain so until there is equity and fairness for all.
It is time for us to take up the momentum and continue to change Pacific education so that we can provide our students with the resources they need to be successful and effect positive change in their communities. I am passionate about this cause, and I cannot wait to see what our students accomplish in the coming years, through establishing equity and justice in education for all Pacific people.
Tertiary education has been underfunded for years, with the government cutting back on spending for universities. This has put a strain on students and faculty alike, making it more difficult for them to access the resources they need for success. My Education Studies programme is under review, and if the current proposed changes at Victoria University are implemented, Pacific people will suffer because they will not have access to the knowledge and potential for change through learning and cultural identity validation. It is our responsibility to ensure that this future does not materialise. We cannot allow Pacific students to be denied the chance to reach their full potential.
The aspirations of countless Pacific students shimmer like stars in the night sky, tantalizingly close yet seemingly out of reach. It is within our power to bridge that distance, to draw their dreams within their grasp. I passionately believe that by joining forces, dedicating our hearts and hands to this noble endeavour, we can reshape the landscape of Pacific education, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of our communities.
Let us embark on this shared journey, united in our mission to empower every Pacific student with the keys to unlock their boundless potential. As we forge ahead, let us remember the strength that lies in our unity, and the transformative impact we can have when we stand shoulder to shoulder. Together, we can illuminate the path to a brighter future for all Pacific people, ensuring that the gift of knowledge and the promise of change are accessible to everyone, regardless of their origins or destinations.
Respectfully,
C M Chu-Fuluifaga
Dr Cherie Chu-Fuluifaga
Senior Lecturer
School of Education
Victoria University of Wellington
