Kohiko Mai: igniting learner engagement
Is your school struggling with disengaged learners?
Kohiko Mai helps reignite the spark in learners who have not connected with their education. If you're struggling to engage ākonga and worry about their future, you're not alone – and Kohiko Mai can help.
What is Kohiko Mai?
Kohiko Mai is designed for learners in Years 7-13 who have not benefited from other support programmes and are at risk of leaving school without engaging in further education, employment, or training. Built on Universal Design for Learning principles, Kohiko Mai fits any school context – whether full primary, intermediate, middle, or secondary school.
This school-owned initiative allows each kura to develop its unique Kohiko Mai programme, supported by our skilled consultants, to re-engage learners during these crucial formative years.
Why the name Kohiko Mai?
"Kohiko" means to flash or twinkle, symbolising how learners shine when they grasp new knowledge. Kohiko Mai invites learners to shine and disrupts their current path, providing new opportunities for growth and innovation.
Why choose Kohiko Mai?
Kohiko Mai is an effective enabler for keeping disengaged learners at school. With the national focus on improving school attendance, Kohiko Mai provides a powerful solution to help schools address this critical issue. By re-engaging ākonga who are at risk of leaving, Kohiko Mai helps build a culture of belonging, supporting learners to stay connected with their education. Kohiko Mai is local curriculum design at its most impactful. It allows schools and whānau to support ākonga in a way that best suits their context. By being a kura-owned initiative, Kohiko Mai's actions, processes, and strategies are uniquely tailored to meet individual school needs.
How we work with you
Our mentors at Evaluation Associates | Te Huinga Kākākura Mātauranga provide the support and framework to make Kohiko Mai successful in your school:
Develop a model that fits your school environment.
Introduce the Kohiko Mai framework and principles.
Guide implementation approaches.
Provide ongoing support, challenge, and affirmation.
Schools appreciate the role of their mentor, whose support helps keep them on track and motivated, even through challenges.
Impact and testimonials
Kohiko Mai has supported over 30 schools, creating significant impacts:
Building relationships: "We thought we knew our students after four years, but Kohiko Mai helped us truly understand them." (Principal)
Student empowerment: "I came to school for the Kohiko Mai interview because it’s important." (Student)
Teacher transformation: "It has changed teacher empathy and attitude towards students." (Teacher)
Whānau connection: "It was great to hear positive things about my child and see their strengths." (Parent)
Understanding disengaged students: "Kohiko Mai made us think about who our disengaged students are and what their realities are." (School Lead)
Student wellbeing: "It made me feel like someone was watching over me." (Student)
Programme success: "It's a phenomenal programme. I would love it in every school." (Principal)
