Reassurances literacy and numeracy won't suffer if teachers learn more about matauranga and Te Reo Maori

The Teaching Council has told the Abuse in Care Inquiry that competence in matauranga and Te Reo may eventually be mandatory for teachers.

Chief Executive, Lesley Hoskin, says there are no plans to make fluency compulsory.

Secondary Principals Association President, Vaughan Couillault, says improving teacher understanding of te ao Maori can only be a good thing.

He says people can learn multiple things at once, so that doesn't have to come at the expense of literacy and numeracy.