From the Office of the Executive Director.

Brother Kelvin Canavan, Executive Director of schools in the Archdiocese of Sydney, told the Catholic Weekly that he supports the idea for a national curriculum for Australia.

He says "there is no justification for having seven separate English syllabuses for students in Years 6. It is wasteful of resources."

Over the decade, Br Kelvin has argued that it is not sensible to have seven curriculum authorities in a country with about three million school students.

"Students moving interstate are disadvantaged by differences in syllabuses," he said.

"HOWEVER, we must avoid a quick political fix that disadvantages current students."

Br Kelvin says that the move from a variety of State syllabuses to a single national curriculum would disadvantage current students unless the whole process is carefully managed.

"A quality national curriculum will require time to write. Teachers will need to be prepared, and resources developed."

"Decisions will need to be made about testing and assessment," he added.

"Senior students in NSW are already under considerable pressure as they prepare for the Higher School Certificate. A rushed new national curriculum will only increase pressure on students and achieve very little in the short term.

"My advice is for State and Australian governments to work together to produce a national curriculum and to introduce it progressively, beginning in Kindergarten/Year 1 in the Primary and in year 7 in secondary schools."

 

For Further Information
Bernadette Zebec, Communications Unit, CEO, Leichhardt Tel: 9568 8223 / 0439 601 440