Principals call for pause in curriculum rollout

More than 650 primary and area school principals signed the letter, which was delivered to Parliament on October 17. The letter expressed deep concern that the reforms are being implemented too quickly, saying there had been limited clarity, consultation or local grounding.

Organised by the NZEI Te Riu Roa Principals’ Council, the letter called on Minister Erica Stanford to prioritise genuine collaboration with principals, teachers and Māori, and to include qualified experts in the co-design of future curriculum changes.

The letter was also endorsed by the New Zealand Principals’ Federation, which represents 2000 principals, as well as Te Akatea, the kaupapa Māori tumuaki national body.

The principals said they are concerned curriculum design has been outsourced to overseas consultants, rather than locals who understand Aotearoa New Zealand.

The open letter follows the rapid implementation of literacy and maths curriculum changes last year, which put considerable pressure on educators.

Some principals boycotted the first event in a curriculum roadshow which started at the Christchurch Town Hall on October 20, The Press reported. The event will also take place in Lower Hutt, Auckland and Rotorua.

The full-day programme featured Australian Dr Nathaniel Swin as keynote speaker. He is a leader in the “science of learning” movement underpinning the Government’s curriculum changes. 

The principal of Christ the King Catholic Primary School in Burnside, Christchurch, Tom Wallis, said he would not be attending the roadshow in solidarity with his colleagues. He described the roadshow as a promotional event.

He said the NZEI and the New Zealand Principals’ Federation have been shut out of the curriculum process.

Mr Wallis said some of the changes, such as structured literacy, were positive – and many schools had already embraced them. But other changes were imported from overseas and risked replacing New Zealand-developed approaches.

Ms Stanford said the roadshow was developed in direct response to education sector requests for support to implement the new curriculum.

FULL STORY

Hundreds of principals sign open letter urging Education Minister to… (NZEI)

Principals boycott Minister’s curriculum roadshow (The Press – subscription required)

Principals Open Letter to Minister of Education (NZEI)