Blow To National Curriculum Plan
The Age
Wednesday December 1, 1993
Plans for a uniform national curriculum were dealt a further blow yesterday when the Victorian Government signalled its intention to push for state-based curriculums.
A six-month investigation by the Victorian Board of Studies found the proposed national curriculum lacked rigor, was too complex and unwieldy and led to uncertainty among schools about the purpose of national developments.
None of the national curriculum documents were suitable for adoption in their present form, the board advised.
Speaking just three days before he leaves for the Australian Education Ministers Conference in Hobart, the Victorian Minister for Education, Mr Hayward, said the national curriculum statements and profiles were inadequate and could not be implemented in their present form.
His statements, and those of the Board of Studies, appear to end any chance of a return to the aims and aspirations of a truly national curriculum, first agreed to in Hobart five years ago.
Instead, Victoria is expected to support the New South Wales Education Minister, Mrs Chadwick, who is adamant that any national system will be a collaborative effort among the states.
Mr Hayward said: ``Curriculum development is best undertaken through individual boards of studies with information sharing through the Curriculum Corporation. This will achieve world-class standards."
Earlier, Mr Hayward had indicated that he supported liaison among the states, but opposed a formal national structure.
© 1993 The Age