The Ministry of Education is defending printing badges to promote its new Maori education strategy, a move derided by some principals as gimmicky and infantile.
The badges were sent to principals this week with information packs for Ka Hikitia -- Managing for Success, the new strategy aimed at turning around Maori under-achievement in schools.
Principals have complained about the badges, which sport phrases such as "I love Maori success" and "Wassup!".
The total cost for the information mailout was $230,000, Radio New Zealand reported.
Ministry deputy secretary for Maori, Apryll Parata, said she was disappointed in the principals' criticisms.
The badges had been designed to prompt discussion and engagement between teachers and students, using language young people used.
They promoted the underlying message of the strategy -- realising Maori potential.
"And on the badges it simply says things like I love Maori success. If that's considered gimmicky then I think we've got bigger problems than we may have thought in education," Ms Parata said.
She said if students found the language on the badges patronising, that was a discussion worth having in the classroom.
There was no compulsion for any teacher to wear the badges, she said.
Secondary Principals Association president Peter Gall said the costly packs came at a time schools were crying out for money.
"Don't get me wrong. Ka Hikitia, I believe, is a really good solid strategy," he said.
While some of the material in the packs was useful, the marketing material and badges were a "load of nonsense".
"Quite frankly I think it's infantile."
