Key Takeaways
- The development of the new school curriculum was heavily politicized, leading to extensive rewrites and the sidelining of subject experts.
- A former Education Ministry employee, Claire Coleman, made allegations of politicization during a submission to Parliament’s Education and Workforce Select Committee.
- The Education and Training (System Reform) Amendment Bill would give the government more direct control over the curriculum and teachers’ professional standards.
- Critics argue that this would further politicize the education system and disregard the expertise of public servants and sector experts.
- The Education Ministry claims that ministerial approval of curriculums is normal and that the curriculum-writing process is rigorous and inclusive of a wide range of stakeholders.
Introduction to the Controversy
The development of the new school curriculum has been marred by controversy, with allegations of politicization and the sidelining of subject experts. A former Education Ministry employee, Claire Coleman, has come forward with disturbing claims about the process, which she says was heavily influenced by political considerations. During a submission to Parliament’s Education and Workforce Select Committee, Coleman alleged that the development of the new curriculum was characterized by extensive rewrites and the removal of academics and sector experts from writing teams. Instead, corporate resource creators were favored, and curriculum documents were changed radically in response to notes from ministers.
The Politicization of the Curriculum
Coleman’s allegations are troubling, and they suggest that the education system is being politicized in a way that disregards the expertise of public servants and sector experts. She claims that as a curriculum writer, she was asked to disregard evidence, research, and her own experience in favor of a predetermined outcome. This is a worrying trend, as it suggests that the government is more interested in imposing its own ideology on the education system than in listening to the advice of experts. The fact that colleagues were forced to run back and forth to the Beehive for approval, and that academics and sector experts were removed from writing teams, further supports this claim. The education system should be based on evidence and research, not on political ideology.
The Education Ministry’s Response
The Education Ministry has responded to Coleman’s allegations by claiming that ministerial approval of curriculums is normal. According to the ministry, the curriculum-writing process is rigorous and includes multiple cycles of review and refinement. The ministry claims that it has taken advice and worked with a wide range of local education experts, teachers, and other stakeholders over a long period to produce a knowledge-rich curriculum grounded in the science of learning. However, this response does not address the specific allegations made by Coleman, and it does not explain why academics and sector experts were removed from writing teams. The ministry’s claim that ministers have always been responsible for the curriculum sign-off as part of the process also raises questions about the extent to which the government is involved in the development of the curriculum.
The Implications of the Education and Training (System Reform) Amendment Bill
The Education and Training (System Reform) Amendment Bill would give the government even more direct control over the curriculum and teachers’ professional standards. This has sparked widespread criticism, with many arguing that it would further politicize the education system. Coleman’s allegations suggest that the government is already exerting too much influence over the curriculum, and that this is having a negative impact on the quality of education. If the bill is passed, it is likely that the education system will become even more politicized, with the government imposing its own ideology on schools and teachers. This would be a disaster for the education system, as it would undermine the professionalism of teachers and the quality of education.
The Importance of an Independent Education System
An independent education system is essential for a healthy democracy. It allows for the free exchange of ideas, the development of critical thinking, and the pursuit of knowledge. When the education system is politicized, it can lead to the suppression of dissenting voices, the promotion of ideology over evidence, and the undermining of critical thinking. The allegations made by Coleman suggest that the education system in New Zealand is already being politicized, and that this is having a negative impact on the quality of education. It is essential that the government takes steps to address these concerns, and to ensure that the education system is independent and free from political interference. This can be achieved by giving more autonomy to schools and teachers, and by reducing the influence of the government over the curriculum.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the allegations made by Claire Coleman about the politicization of the education system are troubling. The development of the new curriculum has been marred by controversy, with extensive rewrites and the sidelining of subject experts. The Education Ministry’s response to these allegations has been inadequate, and the Education and Training (System Reform) Amendment Bill would further politicize the education system. It is essential that the government takes steps to address these concerns, and to ensure that the education system is independent and free from political interference. The future of the education system depends on it, and it is essential that we get it right.
