The school curriculum is to have its first total review in 30 years. They’re talking about getting rid of unnecessary ‘clutter’.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Let me put it in perspective. When I started my teaching career in 1967 the entire Primary Curriculum was in one book being similar in size to an average size hardback novel. This included the entire content of subjects including Mathematics, English, Social Studies, Science, Art, Craft, Music and Physical Education. When I finished my career in 2002 there were curriculums for every subject and many more peripheral areas had been added. Stack all these documents in a pile and it would stretch to the ceiling and beyond.
Teaching in my earlier days was simple and enjoyable and beneficial to the kids. Later, as the peripherals were added, teaching became harder as the extra load took time away from what was optimum time learning the basics. When this happens, when this trend to keep adding to the curriculum continued, adding to the ‘clutter’, is it any wonder Australian educational standards declined.
Taking the curriculum back to the basics with emphasis on the ‘3 R’s’ is very sensible. It is difficult for students to move on to more advanced learning encompassing new skills if the basic skills are lacking. Authorities have a wonderful opportunity to restore the curriculum to content that will benefit children and educators alike. Get rid of the ‘clutter’ and make what our children learn in school relevant.
WITS
Let me share one of my favourite school stories. Political correctness was a hot issue at the time and the word ‘black’ was virtually taboo. You couldn’t say “black person”, it had to be “coloured”.
I’d been touching on these issues with the kids and was preparing a poster for the class’s Fete activity. I asked a young Mark Sykes if he’d pass me a black texta. His reply, “Mr Snelling, if you don’t mind, coloured texta please.” Shows they do listen – when it’s relevant.
WITS
Last Saturday we woke to a world caught up in the euphoria of the Royal Wedding, only to be tempered by the news of over 100 lives lost in an air crash in Cuba and ten lives lost in a school shooting in Texas USA.
Immediately the last lines of each verse of Pete Seeger’s war anthem “Where Have All The Flowers Gone sprang to mind: ‘When will they ever learn, When will they ever learn?”. America, you have a war at home. GUNS! When will you ever learn?
WITS
The issue of gender equality in the workplace has become an issue in parliament with toing and froing related to the upcoming bi-elections set down for next month. One Liberal female politician has missed out in pre-selection with another just hanging on. Labor is boasting they will soon have 50/50 representation in parliament.
This is all very well, but I am, unfortunately, too aware of people being placed in positions of management and have been found wanting. This applies to both genders.
I’m all for promotion, advancement, appointment, call it what you will. By all means ensure equality of opportunity, but choose, place or appoint completely on merit. Much has been said about the rights of women, surely it hasn’t come to this:
“Nobody can argue any longer about the rights of women. It’s like arguing about earthquakes.” (Lillian Hellman)