06 November 2007
Complex new curriculum can't succeed without better teacher resourcing
The new school curriculum out today has good intentions but needs to be backed up by good teachers and the right amount
of resourcing if it is to succeed.
Education Forum chairman and leading state school principal Byron Bentley said the curriculum's 'outcomes' focus puts a
premium on highly skilled teachers – something that New Zealand lacks.
"The curriculum is non-syllabus and non-prescriptive and as such needs teachers with high-skill levels to guide and
motivate students in a complex learning environment.
"New Zealand has many good teachers but those with the levels of skills required to implement outcomes based education
are missing right across the country.
"It is becoming increasingly difficult simply to recruit quality graduates to teaching, let alone – as most principals
will attest – find those with the calibre required to maintain an outcomes based education model.
"The curriculum's intentions are good, with regards to literacy and numeracy; its success or failure will rest on how it
is implemented, the quality of teachers and the resources provided," Mr Bentley said.
"The break-down in technology teaching is a clear and recent example of what happens when a lack of quality teachers and
a muddled curriculum come together.
"It is essential that these weaknesses not be allowed to affect the wider curriculum."