More curriculum finalised - but where's the support?

“All that the Minister of Education has authorised is a workshop for school leaders at a limited number of locations around the motu next month and some draft support materials,” says Chris Abercrombie, president of PPTA Te Wehengarua.

"It's tough luck if you teach Health and Physical Education, or The Arts because there's not even a confirmed release date for those.

“Teachers need time to plan the delivery of the new curriculum and that needs to start from today. Instead, the Ministry of Education will be providing online modules from the start of 2027 which teachers will need to fit in alongside actually teaching the new content.

Chris Abercrombie says teachers are also seriously concerned the most helpful form of PLD -  face to face workshops with other teachers who teach the same subject - will not start until Term 2 2027.

“This is three months after we have to start teaching the new curriculum and students are assessed against it. It is absolutely unbelievable and unacceptable.

“This is not a pilot or transition period – this is when the rubber hits the road. Schools will be held accountable for implementation and students will experience the consequences of any shortcomings in planning or support."

Chris Abercrombie said the new curriculum was significantly different from what is being taught at the moment and teachers, as the professionals charged with delivering it, should be given the support and tools needed to do this now that it is finalised.

“Instead, we have been left high and dry. For a Minister who claims that she values teachers and the amazing work we do, she needs to start walking the talk pronto and give us the resources and support we desperately need to make the new curriculum work for our rangatahi.”

Ends