Secondary teachers’ initial impressions of new curricula raise questions

“We are currently asking members to take part in a brief survey, so we can get a better idea of first impressions but the feedback we’re hearing already is quite worrying.

“While teachers have a wide range of views on the new curriculum content, members seem to be concerned that the new curricula need work to both ensure the amount of content in each year level is realistic, and prepare students sufficiently for senior secondary school.

The time allowances for some subjects, such as arts and languages, seem to be shockingly small. Teachers are concerned about how students are ever going to be prepared for senior school assessment.”

Kieran Gainsford said the content-heaviness of the new curricula would certainly require teachers to spend more time with students.

“Teachers will definitely need more time to teach this expanded curriculum, especially in increasingly diverse classrooms. You cannot simply increase expectations without increasing the resource.”  

“The absolute bottom line for ensuring the new curricula can be delivered successfully for all students is to ensure proper support for students with unmet learning needs.”

Kieran Gainsford said it was disappointing that New Zealand teachers and subject associations had not been included extensively in the curriculum writing process.

“Our subject associations have an absolute wealth of knowledge, skills, experience, creativity and passion. It makes no sense to have not included them fully in writing the new curricula. We hope to see subject associations proactively involved by the Ministry in the feedback phase of this new curriculum.”

Kieran Gainsford said teachers hoped that consultation on the new curricula would be genuine and the Government would be committed to addressing teachers’ concerns.