Leadership in Pasifika early childhood education as a political act

Abstract

This presentation will discuss the importance of cultural values, family and community contribution to sustain a collective approach to education, which in turn resonates with Pasifika ways of knowing, Pasifika theology and epistemology. Leadership in the spirit of the collective fosters difference, and offers potentialities in learning and collective constructions of knowledge in leadership. Within the collective, the early childhood leader is an agent of change, navigating choices that require responsibility, ethics and care. For Pasifika early childhood education communities, there must be an awareness of the complexity, multiplicity and diversity of leadership, to strengthen culturally relevant practices and resilience in traversing the shifting political landscapes and global change. The neoliberal climate and impact of political reforms that govern the early childhood education sector have generated further implications for the sustainability of leadership within Pasifika early childhood education settings, which require further investigation, dialogue and critique (Matapo & Leaupepe, 2016). Throughout the presentation I will draw upon my leadership realities and experiences as both programme leader of Pasifika early childhood education as well as my role as associate dean Pasifika. Pasifika leadership praxis within education must resonate with Pasifika ways of knowing, Pasifika theology and epistemology (Leaupepe & Sauni, 2014; Mara, 2005). This is inclusive of collectivist cultural concepts, rather than individualistic liberal ideals (Matapo, 2018).