5.1.3 Manukau Family Literacy Program (MFLP) - New Zealand¹⁷

In 2002, New Zealand created the Manukau Family Literacy Program (MFLP) based on the Kenan model. This program is offered to a population composed of Maoris, Pasifikas and new migrants living in an urban setting It reflects the culture and the cultural and educational context of New Zealand. It is also an exemplary model of collaboration in a community to support families.

Partnership et elaboration in the MFLP - Founded on best practices in the field of family literacy, the MFLPlis based on solid partnerships with schools, daycare centres and other community organizations. The program is built around existing pedagogical resources in the community and aims to have families and the community take responsibility for the program.

The six principles of the MFLP

• Define clear goals for the programs.
• Offer meaningful and useful learning experiences.
• Create whanaungatanga (relationships-bonds) within the families.
• Allow schools and daycare centres to support adult learning.
• Emphasize the wished-for results.
• Appreciate and value the existing framework that supports learning.

Components and targeted results - The model includes four equally important components, covering resultsl similar to the Kenan model:

1. Adult education - targeted results

• Adult literacy.
• Basic job-related skills.
• Self-confidence - development of cultural awareness: The adults are asked to write non-fiction stories that reflect their cultural heritage and what they know.

2. Education in parental skills - targeted results

• improved understanding of the child's development,
• improved relationships between family members,
• improved health of family members,
• improved understanding of the education system, and
• improved parenting skills.

3. Education of the children - targeted results (according to the national program for young children)

• academic literacy skills appropriate to the age of the child,
• social and cultural development, and
• consistent attendance in the program and daily participation of the child in learning activities.

4. parent-child activities - targeted results

• improved relationships between family members,
• increased involvement ofthe adult in the school and the daycare centres,
• personal empowerment,
• cultural well-being, and
• increased exposure to experiences in the community.

¹⁷ For more information on this model, see the web site of COMET: http://www.comet.org