[Greens-Media] Board of Studies and science deans ring yet more alarm bells on national curriculum

[John Kaye]

Board of Studies and science deans ring yet more alarm bells on national curriculum
 
Media release: 30 September 2010
 
Changes to the draft national curriculum have failed to satisfy the Australian Council of Science Deans and the NSW Board of Studies. The NSW government must reject the current proposal and insist on more time to develop and consult on a new version, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye. ('Curriculum battle wages on over latest draft', SMH 30 September 2010 page 5, http://bit.ly/smh100930E)
 
Dr Kaye said: "Federal Schools Minister Peter Garrett has been thrown a poisoned chalice by his predecessors. 
 
"The timetable for implementing the new curriculum is completely unrealistic and the first attempt at the K to 10 science courses has been almost universally condemned. 
 
"NSW Minister Verity Firth should throw her new federal colleague Peter Garrett a lifeline by staging a revolt of state and territory ministers. They should abandon the original timetable in the National Education Agreement and send the science curriculum back to the drawing board, this time with adequate time for consultation and teacher professional development.
 
"The Council of Deans of Science and the NSW Board of Studies join the Science Teachers Association of NSW and hundreds of educational professionals in raising the alarm on a new curriculum that could be a big step backwards at least for this state.
 
"The timetable for implementing the curriculum was always driven by politics, not education. This should have been done slowly and carefully and allowed enough time to up skill teachers into the new materials and techniques. 
 
"Instead it is being rammed through in time for the next Federal election. 
 
"While that timetable might put a notch in the belt of the Gillard government, it will damage science education outcomes with unacceptable consequences for the future.
 
"NSW faces the real risk of going from a world-leading science curriculum to one which compares poorly to other OECD nations. 
 
"This matters a lot. Without the right sequencing and emphasis, the ability of this nation to produce quality doctors, nurses, paramedics, scientists, electricians, plumbers  and engineers will be lost," Dr Kaye said.
 
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455
 
 
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John Kaye
Greens member of the NSW Parliament
phone: (02) 9230 2668
fax: (02) 9230 2586
mobile: 0407 195 455
email: john.kaye at parliament.nsw.gov.au
web: www.johnkaye.org.au
 
mail: Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000