NSW, QLD, WA, and SA not keen on curriculum
11 Aug 2011
Media release More criticism of the Gillard Government’s national curriculum has emerged after it was branded as poor quality by the New South Wales Government earlier this week.
Unions representing teachers in Queensland and South Australia have now added their voices to the concerns of New South Wales that the necessary training and support required to implement the curriculum isn’t in place.
Yesterday it was reported that Education Union members in South Australia have asked the State Government for a twelve month delay, until 2014.
This follows Western Australia’s decision last year not to implement the curriculum until at least 2014, following dissatisfaction about achievement standards.
“The Prime Minister promised the curriculum would be implemented in January 2011. Now, after four years it is still not ready,” said Christopher Pyne, Shadow Minister for Education.
“It is astonishing that Schools Minister, Peter Garrett, chose to criticise the New South Wales Government for acting on the expert advice of the NSW Board of Studies who consider the curriculum sub-standard.
“New South Wales Education Minister, Adrian Piccoli, put the needs of students ahead of those of a floundering Federal Minister desperate to make up for his litany of policy failures.
“If there is any doubt about the quality and standard of the curriculum then it should be delayed until the document is up to scratch.
“It is a joke that the Federal Government expects teachers to instruct their students on an entirely new curriculum without any training,” Mr Pyne said.
August 11, 2011
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Adam Howard
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