Religious education exemption sought in curriculum content

In a submission made for the Ministry of Education’s early consultation on the NZ Years 0-10 and 11-13 New Zealand Curriculum Draft Content, APIS said more than assurances are needed.

“The draft content in the curriculum for years 1–10 is ambitious and prescriptive, reflecting a strong shift toward knowledge-rich learning. State integrated schools will teach this content as required,” the submission stated.

“However, because many of them must also deliver a full knowledge-based religious education curriculum, the volume and potential rigidity of the NZC draft content raise a practical concern: that religious education could be unintentionally crowded out.

“We are not seeking reassurance; rather we are seeking specific exemptions, so that the curriculum can be implemented in a way that respects the additional commitments of state integrated schools.”

APIS asked for recognition within the curriculum that state integrated schools have additional curriculum responsibilities arising from their special character.

The association also requested “flexibility in the sequencing and pacing of social sciences content, so that state integrated schools, including Catholic schools, can plan coherently across both the [New Zealand Curriculum] and their religious education curriculum (or equivalent)”.

Concerning the religious studies subject, APIS stated that it is encouraged that it “remains part of the new senior curriculum and assessment landscape”.

“At the same time, the move toward a more prescriptive disciplinary model raises questions about whether Catholic and other state integrated schools will be able to teach and assess the specific content required by their special character within the national qualification framework,” the submission explained.

APIS sought clarity that “the religious studies elements within social sciences do not replace the religious education curriculum required in many of our state integrated schools”.

The submission, written by APIS chief executive Dr Kevin Shore, expressed the association’s “genuine appreciation for the openness and goodwill shown by the Ministry of Education throughout this significant period of curriculum redevelopment”.

“We are grateful that state integrated school educators and representatives have been included in key parts of the process, including the social sciences rewrite, the senior religious studies curriculum development and individual meetings with state integrated school sector groups,” Dr Shore wrote.

“State integrated schools are committed to the success of the New Zealand Curriculum (NZC) and to the wellbeing of all learners. We do not seek to stand apart from the national direction, nor to impose our curriculum on others.

“Our request is simply that the NZC continues to make space for the commitments that state integrated schools are legally and morally required to uphold.”

FULL STORY

APIS submission draft NZ curriculum (Association of Proprietors of Integrated Schools/NZCEO)