Educators representing 34 organisations have slammed the direction, pace, and what they say is a lack of genuine consultation in the Government’s sweeping curriculum changes.
In a joint statement concluding a hui organised on Tuesday, 24 March, by the New Zealand Principals’ Federation (NZPF) and education union NZEI Te Riu Roa, educators raised objections that the direction of the changes, including the structure and content for Te Mātaiaho The New Zealand Curriculum and Te Matauranga o Aotearoa, fails to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
They criticised the lack of engagement, consultation and co-design in developing the wide-ranging changes, saying they have been “driven by the narrow ideological interests of a small group”.
“The pace of curriculum change is unreasonable, has layered multiple demands on schools and kura, and has created huge workloads on the sector,” the statement said. “This will have significant negative impacts, including impacting on the recruitment and retention of teachers.”
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The educators warned that the curriculum framework and six draft curriculum documents are not fit for purpose, fail to meet the Ministry’s own standards, and represent a profound, unworkable narrowing of curriculum scope.
NZPF President Jason Miles said the sheer breadth of organisations signing the joint statement highlights the unprecedented level of concern across the education sector.
“When principals, teachers, subject experts, and academics all stand together to issue a warning like this, the Government must stop and listen,” Mr Miles said.
“We are the professionals who have to make this work in the classroom, and the sector is united in saying this rushed approach is unworkable.”
NZEI Te Riu Roa President Ripeka Lessels encouraged educators, parents, and school boards to make their voices heard through submissions to the Ministry before consultation closes on 24 April.
“If we do not act now, we risk letting a narrow ideology rewrite the future of our tamariki.
“I urge every educator and school community to make a submission and demand a curriculum that is workable, evidence-based, and honours Te Tiriti of Waitangi,” Mrs Lessels said.
Attending the hui were teachers, academics, and representatives from 34 education organisations, such as peak bodies, unions, principals’ associations, and subject associations.
