Hon Bill English
National Party Education Spokesman

31 July 2006

Time for commonsense curriculum

National’s Education spokesman, Bill English, says the new school curriculum needs a sharper focus on making sure all children can read, write and do maths.

He is commenting on the release today of a new draft curriculum.

“Schools should be focused on teaching the basics and getting it right,” says Mr English.

“National favours simple, clear objectives, with schools and teachers focused on learning outcomes.

“We would stop adding more to the school curriculum. Instead, we want to see it stripped down and simplified. There should be clear accountability for a small range of clear objectives.”

Mr English says the draft curriculum is a step in the right direction and is more practical than the previous one, which was cumbersome and out-of-date.

“But it still contains too much waffley education jargon that doesn’t mean anything to parents.

“Parents need to be able to understand what’s going on in schools – a parent who is well informed will take more interest in their child’s education and help their child learn more effectively at home,” says Mr English.

ENDS

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