Who is Christopher Pyne to determine what the curriculum should be? He is no more qualified than the woman or man in the street and with his immediate track record, not very likely to last long in his current portfolio. Do we then have another Minister forcing his personal views on what she or he believes is warranted?
The development of the Australian Curriculum has been overseen by the ACARA Board which consists of representatives of all Ministers of Education and the non-government school sectors. Many teachers have been involved but what would they know? Furthermore each curriculum developed is signed off by all Ministers of Education.
His attacks have included the history curriculum, a favourite ground for the Liberals. He has complained that the curriculum contains two references to trade unions and I would respond with ‘so what’? In any case there is only one explicit reference to trade unions in the F-10 History curriculum and this is in relation to the Industrial Revolution and it is not mandatory study.
Another of his concerns is that there are four references to progressive ideas and associated movement. There is a topic titled ‘Progressive ideas and movements in Year 9’ but this is an elective topic and references a range of movements, including capitalism, socialism and nationalism.
Another apparent problem is that the only Prime Minister to be explicitly referenced is John Curtin. It happens to be mentioned in the F-10 History curriculum and the reason for this is that Curtin was the PM at the time of the ‘Fall of Singapore’ during WW2.
Mr Pyne should focus his time on the real issue that is of concern to all Australians and that is the ongoing slide in Australia’s educational performance in international rankings across all curriculum areas. A good start would be an announcement by his government that it will commit to delivering Gonski funding in years five and six as planned. It is less than half what has been committed for his government’s paid parental leave scheme. His and his government’s priorities in this case are askew.
Terry Polglase, AEU Tasmanian Branch President
