Deadline approaches for outcomes consultation

By Jennifer Leete

February 28 is the deadline for responses by primary teachers to the Office of the Board of Studies' consultation paper which seeks to make some outcomes in the K-6 curriculum "mandatory" and others not so.

The Board's document has huge ramifications for the teaching and learning of primary students because it proposes that all of the current English and mathematics outcomes would be mandatory and that any "cuts" be made from the other K-6 key learning areas.

Many of the outcomes to be cut are those that require higher order thinking skills and deeper levels of analysis and understanding. Most dangerous is that Human Society and its Environment outcomes dealing with "Time and Change" and "Cultural Diversity" would be seen as optional. Most of us expect, because of the huge workload K-6 teachers have, that this will lead to them not being taught. The teaching of and understanding of the history of injustice toward our indigenous people and knowledge about the culture and traditions of the first owners of our nation will be put at risk. Primary teachers must respond urgently if they have not already done so.

Further detail has been sent to Federation Representatives and is on the Federations website.

Jennifer Leete is the Deputy President.

For further information

February 2005 contents