Photo: AFP
The Ministry of Education has stopped the team rewriting the much-debated science curriculum after a single meeting.
The ministry told RNZ it had paused rather than disbanded the 18-member group, cancelling two scheduled meetings and the associated flights and accommodation.
“Based on the experience in producing a knowledge-rich curriculum based on the science of learning, we are reviewing how we approach the remaining learning areas from the lessons learnt in developing English, maths, Te Reo Rangatira and Pāngarau,” the ministry said in a statement.
“Given the focus on English 7-13, maths 9-13, Te Reo Rangatira 7-13 and Pāngarau 9-13 and getting these complete for consultation, we are reviewing the timings to manage workload, hence the pause on science which is a complex area.”
Members of the science education community refused to comment about the decision.
However, RNZ understands some science subject associations were not happy with aspects of the curriculum rewrite and that membership of the writing group was not widely known.
RNZ understands the decision surprised the writing group’s members.
The curriculum rewrite had been on hold since the 2023 election brought a change of government.
Prior to that pause, an early, high-level draft attracted criticism because it did not divide the curriculum into the traditional subjects of chemistry, physics and biology.
Some teachers also worried about the inclusion of matauranga Māori in the curriculum, warning that they did not know enough to be able to include it in a meaningful way. However, others welcomed it.
After coming to power, the National-led coalition government prioritised rewrites of the primary school English and maths curriculums, based on advice from a ministerial advisory group.
The group’s subsequent influence on membership of the teams writing the curriculums attracted criticism.
Secondary English teachers in particular were unhappy that the ministry opted out of the usual process for appointing people to work on the new curriculum. Emails showed one ministry staff member was concerned the appointments were not being made on merit.
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