Tuesday, 28 November 2006
Education Forum supports PPTA call for review of technology curriculum
Education Forum chairman Byron Bentley has came out in support of today's call by the Post Primary Teachers' Association
for a review into the technology curriculum.
Mr Bentley said he was not surprised at the results of PPTA focus group research, which detailed concerns with the
technology curriculum, including its status in schools, inadequacy of resources, staff recruitment difficulties and
insufficient focus on practical skills.
"Staff involved in teaching technology are well aware of the weaknesses of the existing technology curriculum, and are
doing their utmost to make the best of a bad situation, but that can only go on for so long," Mr Bentley said.
"New Zealand faces persistent and severe skill shortages across a range of occupations. Those shortages are most severe
in the trades area. If we are serious about overcoming skill shortages, we must start by focusing on improving secondary
education - and a practical and relevant technology curriculum is a key part of that.
"The Education Forum looks forward to being an active participant in the technology curriculum review, no matter what
form it takes - select committee inquiry or some other expert-led review," Mr Bentley said.
ENDS