12 Jun 2024

Education Minister on 'insulting' curriculum review

From Nine To Noon, 9:06 am on 12 June 2024

The Education Minister addresses teacher concerns over a new-look English curriculum they say has been drawn up in secret and is being foisted upon them without consultation.

RNZ revealed nearly two weeks ago that compulsory Shakespeare and grammar lessons are included in a rewrite of the English curriculum up to Year 13, as proposed by the Ministerial Advisory Group appointed by Erica Stanford.

The group was initially set up to advise on English and maths in primary schools only, but its work was later extended to the first years of secondary school, Years 9-10, and now to Year 13 for English.

The five-member writing group for Y7-13 English includes an academic and four teachers - all from Auckland.

Pip Tinning is the President of the NZ Association for the teaching of English, which represents thousands of teachers in 400 schools. She says the rewrite is being done in secret and is insulting to teachers.

Kathryn also speaks with PPTA Vice President Kieran Gainsford, and Minister Erica Stanford.

Exam with uniform school student doing educational test with stress in classroom.16:9 style

Photo: 123RF