More Details And Transparency Needed Around Secondary School Subject List

Teachers and students need certainty about the future of their teaching and learning. The secondary school subject list released today is very short on detail and provides no explanation of how decisions were made around it, says Chris Abercrombie, PPTA Te Wehengarua president.

“We will be asking the Government for the evidence that formed the basis for decisions about this list, so it’s transparent for everyone, particularly teachers and subject associations.

“It would have been really helpful to have the descriptors - which explain exactly what the subjects are about - released at the same time as the list. Not releasing them until October creates a whole lot of uncertainty and anxiety for teachers, students and their whānau.”

Chris Abercrombie said it was good to see an increase in subjects supporting Te Reo Māori pathways but, again, more details were needed.

Releasing the list of senior secondary subjects before the Year 1-10 curriculum seemed to be putting the cart before the horse. “It means that we have no idea, for example, of the prior learning that these Year 11-13 subjects will build on.”

Chris Abercrombie said teachers had significant concerns about the industry-based subjects. “We have not been given any details about how they will work, who will teach them, or how they will be funded. Adding to our concern is the fact that the Industry Skills Boards, which are in charge of them, don’t come into effect until next year.

“We also would like to know what kind of support will be provided for the implementation of the new subjects in particular. We know from much experience that major changes succeed or fail depending on how well-resourced and supported the implementation of them is.

“We believe that the key to success, when it comes to curriculum change, is that it needs to be manageable, well-resourced and values teacher expertise.”

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