The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

Teachers need a lot of things right now, but another curriculum 'rewrite' isn't one of them

  • Written by Cathy Buntting, Director, Wilf Malcolm Institute of Educational Research, University of Waikato
Teachers need a lot of things right now, but another curriculum 'rewrite' isn't one of them

Less than a fortnight after teachers staged a national strike[1], education was back in the headlines with the National Party’s release of its curriculum policy[2] – or “rewrite”, as leader Christopher Luxon described it.

In a nutshell, the policy would require primary and intermediate schools to teach at least an hour a day each of reading, writing and maths. Learners in Years 3-8 would also be tested on their progress at least twice a year – not unlike the controversial (and subsequently dropped) national standards[3] system from 2010 to 2018.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins responded by arguing the school curriculum should ideally be a bipartisan issue[4] rather than a political football: “Parents, kids, teachers deserve to know that we’ve got a stable curriculum regardless of who the government is.”

Clearly, we all want the best learning outcomes for our nation’s children. But there are deep ideological divisions in the debate about how best to teach and test school children. It seems the curriculum will inevitably become a partisan issue as the election year unfolds.

Behind this immediate contest of ideas, however, sits a larger question: does the education system need yet another upheaval when the curriculum is already undergoing a “refresh[5]”?

How the curriculum works

The school curriculum is not set in stone. Since the 1989 Education Act[6], schools have been self-governing and charged with developing their own curriculum. These local curriculums are underpinned by the national New Zealand Curriculum[7] and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa[8].

The national curriculum and school curriculums work in tandem to balance national consistency with localised enrichment. As part of the curriculum refresh now under way, Te Mātaiaho/The Curriculum Framework will replace the New Zealand Curriculum.

The latest version of Te Mātaiaho[9], which includes responses to school feedback last year, was released on March 17. It’s open for further input until May 12. Part of the process involves updating the eight learning areas – what many will recognise as the traditional school “subjects” – within a new “understand, know, do[10]” model.

Read more: The New Zealand Chinese experience is unique and important — the new history curriculum can’t ignore it[11]

This model establishes key learning stage “progressions”. While it doesn’t go as far as National’s proposed year-by-year testing system, it does set out five consecutive phases: for years 1-3, 4-6, 7-8, 9-10 and 11-13. This replaces the current system of eight overlapping levels across years 0-13.

The new progressions are scheduled to be released[12] for consultation in phases, with full implementation planned for 2026. The first “refreshed” learning area – te ao tangata/social sciences[13] – was released last year. It includes the new Aotearoa New Zealand’s Histories[14] curriculum, which schools are now required to teach.

The curriculum refresh also includes improvements to literacy and communication, and numeracy, including explicitly describing outcomes as a component of all learning areas. As part of the literacy and maths strategy[15], a common practice model[16] is already being developed to create greater clarity, coherence and consistency across the school years.

Big workloads, inadequate funding: striking teachers arrive outside parliament on March 16. Getty Images

Teachers on the front line

The upshot of all this is that extensive curriculum work is well under way – and teachers and school leaders are already grappling with the implications. But the National Party curriculum policy implies these changes won’t go far enough[17].

If enacted, the proposed curriculum rewrite will require teachers to get their heads and hearts around even more change. This will include overseeing a new standardised testing regime in reading, writing and maths for years 3-8 – rather than solidifying their understanding of the current refresh.

Read more: Has a gap in old-school handwriting and spelling tuition contributed to NZ's declining literacy scores?[18]

More curriculum change is assuredly not what teachers were calling for when they went on strike[19] on March 16. Rather, they were drawing attention to working conditions and pay scales that haven’t kept pace with inflation.

Mainstream reporting and social media posts overflowed with teachers and principals sharing experiences of increasing concerns about the wellbeing of students and staff. They spoke of overwhelming workloads and inadequate funding to support students with complex learning and behavioural needs.

Christopher Luxon addressed this broader educational complexity head-on, speaking directly to teachers[20]: “In addition to teaching, you have become the front-line response to complex social, educational, housing and wellbeing challenges.”

Read more: NZ's key teacher unions now reject classroom streaming. So what's wrong with grouping kids by perceived ability?[21]

Beyond the school gates

Of course, a strong curriculum and clear milestones for progress are important. But we also need to recognise that quality education occurs within a complex milieu of wider social and economic policies.

If Chris Hipkins’ desire for a bipartisan approach to education were to work, it would be good to see the educational policies of different political parties directly address the funding issue for schools.

Beyond that, how does school funding intersect with other policies targeting inequality and inequity outside the school gates? The same day National announced its curriculum policy, child poverty again made the headlines[22]. A new report[23] showed 10% of the nation’s children are living in material hardship.

Having school children arrive at school properly fed, warm, well dressed and ready to learn is surely the priority. Teachers will then be able to focus on implementing the curriculum for everyone’s benefit.

References

  1. ^ national strike (www.rnz.co.nz)
  2. ^ curriculum policy (www.national.org.nz)
  3. ^ national standards (www.beehive.govt.nz)
  4. ^ bipartisan issue (www.newshub.co.nz)
  5. ^ refresh (curriculumrefresh.education.govt.nz)
  6. ^ Education Act (www.legislation.govt.nz)
  7. ^ New Zealand Curriculum (nzcurriculum.tki.org.nz)
  8. ^ Te Marautanga o Aotearoa (tmoa.tki.org.nz)
  9. ^ latest version of Te Mātaiaho (curriculumrefresh-live-assetstorages3bucket-l5w0dsj7zmbm.s3.amazonaws.com)
  10. ^ understand, know, do (curriculumrefresh.education.govt.nz)
  11. ^ The New Zealand Chinese experience is unique and important — the new history curriculum can’t ignore it (theconversation.com)
  12. ^ scheduled to be released (curriculumtimelines.education.govt.nz)
  13. ^ te ao tangata/social sciences (curriculumrefresh.education.govt.nz)
  14. ^ Aotearoa New Zealand’s Histories (aotearoahistories.education.govt.nz)
  15. ^ literacy and maths strategy (www.education.govt.nz)
  16. ^ common practice model (www.education.govt.nz)
  17. ^ won’t go far enough (www.stuff.co.nz)
  18. ^ Has a gap in old-school handwriting and spelling tuition contributed to NZ's declining literacy scores? (theconversation.com)
  19. ^ went on strike (www.1news.co.nz)
  20. ^ speaking directly to teachers (www.stuff.co.nz)
  21. ^ NZ's key teacher unions now reject classroom streaming. So what's wrong with grouping kids by perceived ability? (theconversation.com)
  22. ^ made the headlines (www.nzherald.co.nz)
  23. ^ new report (www.stats.govt.nz)

Read more https://theconversation.com/teachers-need-a-lot-of-things-right-now-but-another-curriculum-rewrite-isnt-one-of-them-202438

Times Magazine

Building an AI-First Culture in Your Company

AI isn't just something to think about anymore - it's becoming part of how we live and work, whether we like it or not. At the office, it definitely helps us move faster. But here's the thing: just using tools like ChatGPT or plugging AI into your wo...

Data Management Isn't Just About Tech—Here’s Why It’s a Human Problem Too

Photo by Kevin Kuby Manuel O. Diaz Jr.We live in a world drowning in data. Every click, swipe, medical scan, and financial transaction generates information, so much that managing it all has become one of the biggest challenges of our digital age. Bu...

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

The Times Features

Is our mental health determined by where we live – or is it the other way round? New research sheds more light

Ever felt like where you live is having an impact on your mental health? Turns out, you’re not imagining things. Our new analysis[1] of eight years of data from the New Zeal...

Going Off the Beaten Path? Here's How to Power Up Without the Grid

There’s something incredibly freeing about heading off the beaten path. No traffic, no crowded campsites, no glowing screens in every direction — just you, the landscape, and the...

West HQ is bringing in a season of culinary celebration this July

Western Sydney’s leading entertainment and lifestyle precinct is bringing the fire this July and not just in the kitchen. From $29 lobster feasts and award-winning Asian banque...

What Endo Took and What It Gave Me

From pain to purpose: how one woman turned endometriosis into a movement After years of misdiagnosis, hormone chaos, and major surgery, Jo Barry was done being dismissed. What beg...

Why Parents Must Break the Silence on Money and Start Teaching Financial Skills at Home

Australia’s financial literacy rates are in decline, and our kids are paying the price. Certified Money Coach and Financial Educator Sandra McGuire, who has over 20 years’ exp...

Australia’s Grill’d Transforms Operations with Qlik

Boosting Burgers and Business Clean, connected data powers real-time insights, smarter staffing, and standout customer experiences Sydney, Australia, 14 July 2025 – Qlik®, a g...