[Greens-Media] Gillard curriculum puts NSW HSC at risk

[John Kaye]

Gillard curriculum puts NSW HSC at risk

Media release: 15 May 2010

NSW Education Minister Verity Firth must not allow Julia Gillard's national curriculum to water down the state's HSC, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye. ('National curriculum content not up to scratch: critics' SMH 14 May 2010, http://bit.ly/smh100515)

Dr Kaye said: "The draft national curriculum is a compromise deal with the other states that would see NSW's HSC take a big step backwards.

"Politics is defeating sound education. 

"Quality and rigour have been sacrificed to get the other states on board.

"The absurdly short time for public comment is all about fitting Kevin Rudd's election timetable.

"NSW Education Minister Verity Firth must stand up to her federal colleague and send the years 11 and 12 national curricula back to the drawing board.

"She has been put on notice that the rigour of the HSC is at risk.

"Two of the state's professional teachers associations have warned that important and challenging topics in the extension subjects would be lost.

"Advanced maths concepts will disappear at a time when the state desperately needs a strong school education base to build up its science and engineering workforce. 

"Literature is set to be dumped from the compulsory English course with unacceptable consequences for the cultural education of students.

"This state already has a world-standard curriculum. 

"Taking a step backwards is bad news for the economy, culture and public life. It would undermine the international competitiveness of NSW.

"Ms Firth has to make good on her obligation to protect the rigour and integrity of the state's HSC.

"This time she has to stand up to Julia Gillard and say 'no'," Dr Kaye said. 

For more information:	John Kaye 0407 195 455