MIT Cook Island Hikoi

After the disappointing realisation that I would not be travelling to Rarotonga with my MIT2020 cohort due to Covid last year, I was thrilled to be invited to join this years trip. I have visited schools in the upper North Island and down in Christchurch with my PLG leaders group, but I knew that visiting schools in Rarotonga would be an experience not to be missed. 

Initially we visited our host school Apii Te Uki Ou, this school was incredibly welcoming and the students were just gorgeous. Everyone was genuinely pleased to see us, they put on a beautiful welcoming powhiri with dancers and drums. We had a go at lots of different cultural activities and toured the school. We would be returning to the school for an umu the next night, while the principal, Matua Mark, a kiwi from Gisbourne would take us on a tour of 6 schools around the island.

The difference between the schools was very interesting. Religion was evident in all schools, as was the Cook Island culture, both displayed with great pride. Some schools followed a different curriculum, which was delivered in booklets for each subject. Students worked in cubicles, they worked through the booklets, progressing to the next once they passed and 80% post test of each booklet. 

It was truly an eye opening experience, each school had the same gentle caring nature which is evident in the way of the Cook Island people. The high school was outstanding with their new building and incredible woodwork/food tech and materials areas. The one problem they all faced was terrible wifi. We were thrilled to be able to present 'Internet in a Box' to our host school. This would allow 30 devices to connect remotely anywhere on the island.

We presented our digital tools at a presentation on Wednesday night. These were well received, although many were there to see what we were up to in schools in NZ, as using the tools in class with bad wifi would be  hurdle. They would be useful for planning at the very least.

We were invited to an umu on our last night at Apii Te Uki Ou. This was a mouthwatering feast which again highlighted the amazing generosity and kindness of the the Cook Island way. 

I am very thankful to The Manaiakalani Education Trust and the people involved in making this happen. What an experience. I hope I get to visit again soon.