❓ The Minister for Education responds to the federal Minister's call to de-clutter the curriculum by highlighting perceived inconsistencies in the federal Minister's previous statements and outlining WA's initiatives to reinforce basic skills in primary schools.
AnsweredQoN 93Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
EDUCATION CURRICULUM - COMMENTS OF FEDERAL MINISTER
What is the minister’s response to the call by the federal Minister for Education, Science and Training for the states to de-clutter the school curriculum? Mr M. McGOWAN
What is the minister’s response to the call by the federal Minister for Education, Science and Training for the states to de-clutter the school curriculum? Mr M. McGOWAN
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Kingsley for the question. Frankly, I was amazed - I was gobsmacked - when I heard - Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr M. McGOWAN : I was incredulous - Mr T.K. Waldron interjected. Mr M. McGOWAN : I was deeply surprised when I heard the comments by the federal minister calling for the states to de-clutter the school curriculum. This is the same federal minister who a month and a half ago was saying that we need to teach children manners in the classroom! We need to teach schoolchildren how to break a bread roll, how to tip a soup bowl, how to walk with a book on their head to make sure that young women - Ms J.A. Radisich : Why only young women? Mr M. McGOWAN : She might have been referring to young men as well and to teaching them how to walk appropriately, Pygmalion-style! The same minister who was urging the states to adopt that sort of arrangement in our school classrooms is now calling for the states to de-clutter the school curriculum! The minister is a bit behind the times. We are doing a lot of things to ensure that the basics are taught in our primary schools. First, we are reintroducing a school syllabus that was abolished in 1998. That syllabus will come back into schools next year. We are providing worksheet examples for classroom teachers, particularly new teachers who are a bit unsure of what they should be doing in the classroom at any point in time. Worksheets will be available. More sample materials will be available for schools. We are also making sure that teachers will be able mark in the traditional way. The entire education debate in recent years has been about this matter. Teachers will now be able to mark in the way that they are used to. That will mean that teachers will spend a lot less time on assessment and a lot more time on teaching. Mr J.H.D. Day : Is that for year 12 English? Mr M. McGOWAN : We have been over that issue many times. In years 11 and 12 there has been a return to a system of marking that will ensure a fine-grade assessment. That is what has been requested. Again, we moved away from that when members opposite were in government. We will ensure also that more than 50 per cent of the time of primary schoolchildren is spent on literacy and numeracy. We are achieving basic standards and good standards in education. We are not heading towards the teaching of manners.
Mr M. McGOWAN replied: I thank the member for Kingsley for the question. Frankly, I was amazed - I was gobsmacked - when I heard - Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr M. McGOWAN : I was incredulous - Mr T.K. Waldron interjected. Mr M. McGOWAN : I was deeply surprised when I heard the comments by the federal minister calling for the states to de-clutter the school curriculum. This is the same federal minister who a month and a half ago was saying that we need to teach children manners in the classroom! We need to teach schoolchildren how to break a bread roll, how to tip a soup bowl, how to walk with a book on their head to make sure that young women - Ms J.A. Radisich : Why only young women? Mr M. McGOWAN : She might have been referring to young men as well and to teaching them how to walk appropriately, Pygmalion-style! The same minister who was urging the states to adopt that sort of arrangement in our school classrooms is now calling for the states to de-clutter the school curriculum! The minister is a bit behind the times. We are doing a lot of things to ensure that the basics are taught in our primary schools. First, we are reintroducing a school syllabus that was abolished in 1998. That syllabus will come back into schools next year. We are providing worksheet examples for classroom teachers, particularly new teachers who are a bit unsure of what they should be doing in the classroom at any point in time. Worksheets will be available. More sample materials will be available for schools. We are also making sure that teachers will be able mark in the traditional way. The entire education debate in recent years has been about this matter. Teachers will now be able to mark in the way that they are used to. That will mean that teachers will spend a lot less time on assessment and a lot more time on teaching. Mr J.H.D. Day : Is that for year 12 English? Mr M. McGOWAN : We have been over that issue many times. In years 11 and 12 there has been a return to a system of marking that will ensure a fine-grade assessment. That is what has been requested. Again, we moved away from that when members opposite were in government. We will ensure also that more than 50 per cent of the time of primary schoolchildren is spent on literacy and numeracy. We are achieving basic standards and good standards in education. We are not heading towards the teaching of manners.
I thank the member for Kingsley for the question. Frankly, I was amazed - I was gobsmacked - when I heard - Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr M. McGOWAN : I was incredulous - Mr T.K. Waldron interjected. Mr M. McGOWAN : I was deeply surprised when I heard the comments by the federal minister calling for the states to de-clutter the school curriculum. This is the same federal minister who a month and a half ago was saying that we need to teach children manners in the classroom! We need to teach schoolchildren how to break a bread roll, how to tip a soup bowl, how to walk with a book on their head to make sure that young women - Ms J.A. Radisich : Why only young women? Mr M. McGOWAN : She might have been referring to young men as well and to teaching them how to walk appropriately, Pygmalion-style! The same minister who was urging the states to adopt that sort of arrangement in our school classrooms is now calling for the states to de-clutter the school curriculum! The minister is a bit behind the times. We are doing a lot of things to ensure that the basics are taught in our primary schools. First, we are reintroducing a school syllabus that was abolished in 1998. That syllabus will come back into schools next year. We are providing worksheet examples for classroom teachers, particularly new teachers who are a bit unsure of what they should be doing in the classroom at any point in time. Worksheets will be available. More sample materials will be available for schools. We are also making sure that teachers will be able mark in the traditional way. The entire education debate in recent years has been about this matter. Teachers will now be able to mark in the way that they are used to. That will mean that teachers will spend a lot less time on assessment and a lot more time on teaching. Mr J.H.D. Day : Is that for year 12 English? Mr M. McGOWAN : We have been over that issue many times. In years 11 and 12 there has been a return to a system of marking that will ensure a fine-grade assessment. That is what has been requested. Again, we moved away from that when members opposite were in government. We will ensure also that more than 50 per cent of the time of primary schoolchildren is spent on literacy and numeracy. We are achieving basic standards and good standards in education. We are not heading towards the teaching of manners.
Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr M. McGOWAN : I was incredulous - Mr T.K. Waldron interjected. Mr M. McGOWAN : I was deeply surprised when I heard the comments by the federal minister calling for the states to de-clutter the school curriculum. This is the same federal minister who a month and a half ago was saying that we need to teach children manners in the classroom! We need to teach schoolchildren how to break a bread roll, how to tip a soup bowl, how to walk with a book on their head to make sure that young women - Ms J.A. Radisich : Why only young women? Mr M. McGOWAN : She might have been referring to young men as well and to teaching them how to walk appropriately, Pygmalion-style! The same minister who was urging the states to adopt that sort of arrangement in our school classrooms is now calling for the states to de-clutter the school curriculum! The minister is a bit behind the times. We are doing a lot of things to ensure that the basics are taught in our primary schools. First, we are reintroducing a school syllabus that was abolished in 1998. That syllabus will come back into schools next year. We are providing worksheet examples for classroom teachers, particularly new teachers who are a bit unsure of what they should be doing in the classroom at any point in time. Worksheets will be available. More sample materials will be available for schools. We are also making sure that teachers will be able mark in the traditional way. The entire education debate in recent years has been about this matter. Teachers will now be able to mark in the way that they are used to. That will mean that teachers will spend a lot less time on assessment and a lot more time on teaching. Mr J.H.D. Day : Is that for year 12 English? Mr M. McGOWAN : We have been over that issue many times. In years 11 and 12 there has been a return to a system of marking that will ensure a fine-grade assessment. That is what has been requested. Again, we moved away from that when members opposite were in government. We will ensure also that more than 50 per cent of the time of primary schoolchildren is spent on literacy and numeracy. We are achieving basic standards and good standards in education. We are not heading towards the teaching of manners.
Mr M. McGOWAN : I was incredulous - Mr T.K. Waldron interjected. Mr M. McGOWAN : I was deeply surprised when I heard the comments by the federal minister calling for the states to de-clutter the school curriculum. This is the same federal minister who a month and a half ago was saying that we need to teach children manners in the classroom! We need to teach schoolchildren how to break a bread roll, how to tip a soup bowl, how to walk with a book on their head to make sure that young women - Ms J.A. Radisich : Why only young women? Mr M. McGOWAN : She might have been referring to young men as well and to teaching them how to walk appropriately, Pygmalion-style! The same minister who was urging the states to adopt that sort of arrangement in our school classrooms is now calling for the states to de-clutter the school curriculum! The minister is a bit behind the times. We are doing a lot of things to ensure that the basics are taught in our primary schools. First, we are reintroducing a school syllabus that was abolished in 1998. That syllabus will come back into schools next year. We are providing worksheet examples for classroom teachers, particularly new teachers who are a bit unsure of what they should be doing in the classroom at any point in time. Worksheets will be available. More sample materials will be available for schools. We are also making sure that teachers will be able mark in the traditional way. The entire education debate in recent years has been about this matter. Teachers will now be able to mark in the way that they are used to. That will mean that teachers will spend a lot less time on assessment and a lot more time on teaching. Mr J.H.D. Day : Is that for year 12 English? Mr M. McGOWAN : We have been over that issue many times. In years 11 and 12 there has been a return to a system of marking that will ensure a fine-grade assessment. That is what has been requested. Again, we moved away from that when members opposite were in government. We will ensure also that more than 50 per cent of the time of primary schoolchildren is spent on literacy and numeracy. We are achieving basic standards and good standards in education. We are not heading towards the teaching of manners.
Mr T.K. Waldron interjected. Mr M. McGOWAN : I was deeply surprised when I heard the comments by the federal minister calling for the states to de-clutter the school curriculum. This is the same federal minister who a month and a half ago was saying that we need to teach children manners in the classroom! We need to teach schoolchildren how to break a bread roll, how to tip a soup bowl, how to walk with a book on their head to make sure that young women - Ms J.A. Radisich : Why only young women? Mr M. McGOWAN : She might have been referring to young men as well and to teaching them how to walk appropriately, Pygmalion-style! The same minister who was urging the states to adopt that sort of arrangement in our school classrooms is now calling for the states to de-clutter the school curriculum! The minister is a bit behind the times. We are doing a lot of things to ensure that the basics are taught in our primary schools. First, we are reintroducing a school syllabus that was abolished in 1998. That syllabus will come back into schools next year. We are providing worksheet examples for classroom teachers, particularly new teachers who are a bit unsure of what they should be doing in the classroom at any point in time. Worksheets will be available. More sample materials will be available for schools. We are also making sure that teachers will be able mark in the traditional way. The entire education debate in recent years has been about this matter. Teachers will now be able to mark in the way that they are used to. That will mean that teachers will spend a lot less time on assessment and a lot more time on teaching. Mr J.H.D. Day : Is that for year 12 English? Mr M. McGOWAN : We have been over that issue many times. In years 11 and 12 there has been a return to a system of marking that will ensure a fine-grade assessment. That is what has been requested. Again, we moved away from that when members opposite were in government. We will ensure also that more than 50 per cent of the time of primary schoolchildren is spent on literacy and numeracy. We are achieving basic standards and good standards in education. We are not heading towards the teaching of manners.
Mr M. McGOWAN : I was deeply surprised when I heard the comments by the federal minister calling for the states to de-clutter the school curriculum. This is the same federal minister who a month and a half ago was saying that we need to teach children manners in the classroom! We need to teach schoolchildren how to break a bread roll, how to tip a soup bowl, how to walk with a book on their head to make sure that young women - Ms J.A. Radisich : Why only young women? Mr M. McGOWAN : She might have been referring to young men as well and to teaching them how to walk appropriately, Pygmalion-style! The same minister who was urging the states to adopt that sort of arrangement in our school classrooms is now calling for the states to de-clutter the school curriculum! The minister is a bit behind the times. We are doing a lot of things to ensure that the basics are taught in our primary schools. First, we are reintroducing a school syllabus that was abolished in 1998. That syllabus will come back into schools next year. We are providing worksheet examples for classroom teachers, particularly new teachers who are a bit unsure of what they should be doing in the classroom at any point in time. Worksheets will be available. More sample materials will be available for schools. We are also making sure that teachers will be able mark in the traditional way. The entire education debate in recent years has been about this matter. Teachers will now be able to mark in the way that they are used to. That will mean that teachers will spend a lot less time on assessment and a lot more time on teaching. Mr J.H.D. Day : Is that for year 12 English? Mr M. McGOWAN : We have been over that issue many times. In years 11 and 12 there has been a return to a system of marking that will ensure a fine-grade assessment. That is what has been requested. Again, we moved away from that when members opposite were in government. We will ensure also that more than 50 per cent of the time of primary schoolchildren is spent on literacy and numeracy. We are achieving basic standards and good standards in education. We are not heading towards the teaching of manners.
Ms J.A. Radisich : Why only young women? Mr M. McGOWAN : She might have been referring to young men as well and to teaching them how to walk appropriately, Pygmalion-style! The same minister who was urging the states to adopt that sort of arrangement in our school classrooms is now calling for the states to de-clutter the school curriculum! The minister is a bit behind the times. We are doing a lot of things to ensure that the basics are taught in our primary schools. First, we are reintroducing a school syllabus that was abolished in 1998. That syllabus will come back into schools next year. We are providing worksheet examples for classroom teachers, particularly new teachers who are a bit unsure of what they should be doing in the classroom at any point in time. Worksheets will be available. More sample materials will be available for schools. We are also making sure that teachers will be able mark in the traditional way. The entire education debate in recent years has been about this matter. Teachers will now be able to mark in the way that they are used to. That will mean that teachers will spend a lot less time on assessment and a lot more time on teaching. Mr J.H.D. Day : Is that for year 12 English? Mr M. McGOWAN : We have been over that issue many times. In years 11 and 12 there has been a return to a system of marking that will ensure a fine-grade assessment. That is what has been requested. Again, we moved away from that when members opposite were in government. We will ensure also that more than 50 per cent of the time of primary schoolchildren is spent on literacy and numeracy. We are achieving basic standards and good standards in education. We are not heading towards the teaching of manners.
Mr M. McGOWAN : She might have been referring to young men as well and to teaching them how to walk appropriately, Pygmalion-style! The same minister who was urging the states to adopt that sort of arrangement in our school classrooms is now calling for the states to de-clutter the school curriculum! The minister is a bit behind the times. We are doing a lot of things to ensure that the basics are taught in our primary schools. First, we are reintroducing a school syllabus that was abolished in 1998. That syllabus will come back into schools next year. We are providing worksheet examples for classroom teachers, particularly new teachers who are a bit unsure of what they should be doing in the classroom at any point in time. Worksheets will be available. More sample materials will be available for schools. We are also making sure that teachers will be able mark in the traditional way. The entire education debate in recent years has been about this matter. Teachers will now be able to mark in the way that they are used to. That will mean that teachers will spend a lot less time on assessment and a lot more time on teaching. Mr J.H.D. Day : Is that for year 12 English? Mr M. McGOWAN : We have been over that issue many times. In years 11 and 12 there has been a return to a system of marking that will ensure a fine-grade assessment. That is what has been requested. Again, we moved away from that when members opposite were in government. We will ensure also that more than 50 per cent of the time of primary schoolchildren is spent on literacy and numeracy. We are achieving basic standards and good standards in education. We are not heading towards the teaching of manners.
Mr J.H.D. Day : Is that for year 12 English? Mr M. McGOWAN : We have been over that issue many times. In years 11 and 12 there has been a return to a system of marking that will ensure a fine-grade assessment. That is what has been requested. Again, we moved away from that when members opposite were in government. We will ensure also that more than 50 per cent of the time of primary schoolchildren is spent on literacy and numeracy. We are achieving basic standards and good standards in education. We are not heading towards the teaching of manners.
Mr M. McGOWAN : We have been over that issue many times. In years 11 and 12 there has been a return to a system of marking that will ensure a fine-grade assessment. That is what has been requested. Again, we moved away from that when members opposite were in government. We will ensure also that more than 50 per cent of the time of primary schoolchildren is spent on literacy and numeracy. We are achieving basic standards and good standards in education. We are not heading towards the teaching of manners.
Mr M. McGOWAN replied: I thank the member for Kingsley for the question. Frankly, I was amazed - I was gobsmacked - when I heard - Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr M. McGOWAN : I was incredulous - Mr T.K. Waldron interjected. Mr M. McGOWAN : I was deeply surprised when I heard the comments by the federal minister calling for the states to de-clutter the school curriculum. This is the same federal minister who a month and a half ago was saying that we need to teach children manners in the classroom! We need to teach schoolchildren how to break a bread roll, how to tip a soup bowl, how to walk with a book on their head to make sure that young women - Ms J.A. Radisich : Why only young women? Mr M. McGOWAN : She might have been referring to young men as well and to teaching them how to walk appropriately, Pygmalion-style! The same minister who was urging the states to adopt that sort of arrangement in our school classrooms is now calling for the states to de-clutter the school curriculum! The minister is a bit behind the times. We are doing a lot of things to ensure that the basics are taught in our primary schools. First, we are reintroducing a school syllabus that was abolished in 1998. That syllabus will come back into schools next year. We are providing worksheet examples for classroom teachers, particularly new teachers who are a bit unsure of what they should be doing in the classroom at any point in time. Worksheets will be available. More sample materials will be available for schools. We are also making sure that teachers will be able mark in the traditional way. The entire education debate in recent years has been about this matter. Teachers will now be able to mark in the way that they are used to. That will mean that teachers will spend a lot less time on assessment and a lot more time on teaching. Mr J.H.D. Day : Is that for year 12 English? Mr M. McGOWAN : We have been over that issue many times. In years 11 and 12 there has been a return to a system of marking that will ensure a fine-grade assessment. That is what has been requested. Again, we moved away from that when members opposite were in government. We will ensure also that more than 50 per cent of the time of primary schoolchildren is spent on literacy and numeracy. We are achieving basic standards and good standards in education. We are not heading towards the teaching of manners.
I thank the member for Kingsley for the question. Frankly, I was amazed - I was gobsmacked - when I heard - Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr M. McGOWAN : I was incredulous - Mr T.K. Waldron interjected. Mr M. McGOWAN : I was deeply surprised when I heard the comments by the federal minister calling for the states to de-clutter the school curriculum. This is the same federal minister who a month and a half ago was saying that we need to teach children manners in the classroom! We need to teach schoolchildren how to break a bread roll, how to tip a soup bowl, how to walk with a book on their head to make sure that young women - Ms J.A. Radisich : Why only young women? Mr M. McGOWAN : She might have been referring to young men as well and to teaching them how to walk appropriately, Pygmalion-style! The same minister who was urging the states to adopt that sort of arrangement in our school classrooms is now calling for the states to de-clutter the school curriculum! The minister is a bit behind the times. We are doing a lot of things to ensure that the basics are taught in our primary schools. First, we are reintroducing a school syllabus that was abolished in 1998. That syllabus will come back into schools next year. We are providing worksheet examples for classroom teachers, particularly new teachers who are a bit unsure of what they should be doing in the classroom at any point in time. Worksheets will be available. More sample materials will be available for schools. We are also making sure that teachers will be able mark in the traditional way. The entire education debate in recent years has been about this matter. Teachers will now be able to mark in the way that they are used to. That will mean that teachers will spend a lot less time on assessment and a lot more time on teaching. Mr J.H.D. Day : Is that for year 12 English? Mr M. McGOWAN : We have been over that issue many times. In years 11 and 12 there has been a return to a system of marking that will ensure a fine-grade assessment. That is what has been requested. Again, we moved away from that when members opposite were in government. We will ensure also that more than 50 per cent of the time of primary schoolchildren is spent on literacy and numeracy. We are achieving basic standards and good standards in education. We are not heading towards the teaching of manners.
Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. Mr M. McGOWAN : I was incredulous - Mr T.K. Waldron interjected. Mr M. McGOWAN : I was deeply surprised when I heard the comments by the federal minister calling for the states to de-clutter the school curriculum. This is the same federal minister who a month and a half ago was saying that we need to teach children manners in the classroom! We need to teach schoolchildren how to break a bread roll, how to tip a soup bowl, how to walk with a book on their head to make sure that young women - Ms J.A. Radisich : Why only young women? Mr M. McGOWAN : She might have been referring to young men as well and to teaching them how to walk appropriately, Pygmalion-style! The same minister who was urging the states to adopt that sort of arrangement in our school classrooms is now calling for the states to de-clutter the school curriculum! The minister is a bit behind the times. We are doing a lot of things to ensure that the basics are taught in our primary schools. First, we are reintroducing a school syllabus that was abolished in 1998. That syllabus will come back into schools next year. We are providing worksheet examples for classroom teachers, particularly new teachers who are a bit unsure of what they should be doing in the classroom at any point in time. Worksheets will be available. More sample materials will be available for schools. We are also making sure that teachers will be able mark in the traditional way. The entire education debate in recent years has been about this matter. Teachers will now be able to mark in the way that they are used to. That will mean that teachers will spend a lot less time on assessment and a lot more time on teaching. Mr J.H.D. Day : Is that for year 12 English? Mr M. McGOWAN : We have been over that issue many times. In years 11 and 12 there has been a return to a system of marking that will ensure a fine-grade assessment. That is what has been requested. Again, we moved away from that when members opposite were in government. We will ensure also that more than 50 per cent of the time of primary schoolchildren is spent on literacy and numeracy. We are achieving basic standards and good standards in education. We are not heading towards the teaching of manners.
Mr M. McGOWAN : I was incredulous - Mr T.K. Waldron interjected. Mr M. McGOWAN : I was deeply surprised when I heard the comments by the federal minister calling for the states to de-clutter the school curriculum. This is the same federal minister who a month and a half ago was saying that we need to teach children manners in the classroom! We need to teach schoolchildren how to break a bread roll, how to tip a soup bowl, how to walk with a book on their head to make sure that young women - Ms J.A. Radisich : Why only young women? Mr M. McGOWAN : She might have been referring to young men as well and to teaching them how to walk appropriately, Pygmalion-style! The same minister who was urging the states to adopt that sort of arrangement in our school classrooms is now calling for the states to de-clutter the school curriculum! The minister is a bit behind the times. We are doing a lot of things to ensure that the basics are taught in our primary schools. First, we are reintroducing a school syllabus that was abolished in 1998. That syllabus will come back into schools next year. We are providing worksheet examples for classroom teachers, particularly new teachers who are a bit unsure of what they should be doing in the classroom at any point in time. Worksheets will be available. More sample materials will be available for schools. We are also making sure that teachers will be able mark in the traditional way. The entire education debate in recent years has been about this matter. Teachers will now be able to mark in the way that they are used to. That will mean that teachers will spend a lot less time on assessment and a lot more time on teaching. Mr J.H.D. Day : Is that for year 12 English? Mr M. McGOWAN : We have been over that issue many times. In years 11 and 12 there has been a return to a system of marking that will ensure a fine-grade assessment. That is what has been requested. Again, we moved away from that when members opposite were in government. We will ensure also that more than 50 per cent of the time of primary schoolchildren is spent on literacy and numeracy. We are achieving basic standards and good standards in education. We are not heading towards the teaching of manners.
Mr T.K. Waldron interjected. Mr M. McGOWAN : I was deeply surprised when I heard the comments by the federal minister calling for the states to de-clutter the school curriculum. This is the same federal minister who a month and a half ago was saying that we need to teach children manners in the classroom! We need to teach schoolchildren how to break a bread roll, how to tip a soup bowl, how to walk with a book on their head to make sure that young women - Ms J.A. Radisich : Why only young women? Mr M. McGOWAN : She might have been referring to young men as well and to teaching them how to walk appropriately, Pygmalion-style! The same minister who was urging the states to adopt that sort of arrangement in our school classrooms is now calling for the states to de-clutter the school curriculum! The minister is a bit behind the times. We are doing a lot of things to ensure that the basics are taught in our primary schools. First, we are reintroducing a school syllabus that was abolished in 1998. That syllabus will come back into schools next year. We are providing worksheet examples for classroom teachers, particularly new teachers who are a bit unsure of what they should be doing in the classroom at any point in time. Worksheets will be available. More sample materials will be available for schools. We are also making sure that teachers will be able mark in the traditional way. The entire education debate in recent years has been about this matter. Teachers will now be able to mark in the way that they are used to. That will mean that teachers will spend a lot less time on assessment and a lot more time on teaching. Mr J.H.D. Day : Is that for year 12 English? Mr M. McGOWAN : We have been over that issue many times. In years 11 and 12 there has been a return to a system of marking that will ensure a fine-grade assessment. That is what has been requested. Again, we moved away from that when members opposite were in government. We will ensure also that more than 50 per cent of the time of primary schoolchildren is spent on literacy and numeracy. We are achieving basic standards and good standards in education. We are not heading towards the teaching of manners.
Mr M. McGOWAN : I was deeply surprised when I heard the comments by the federal minister calling for the states to de-clutter the school curriculum. This is the same federal minister who a month and a half ago was saying that we need to teach children manners in the classroom! We need to teach schoolchildren how to break a bread roll, how to tip a soup bowl, how to walk with a book on their head to make sure that young women - Ms J.A. Radisich : Why only young women? Mr M. McGOWAN : She might have been referring to young men as well and to teaching them how to walk appropriately, Pygmalion-style! The same minister who was urging the states to adopt that sort of arrangement in our school classrooms is now calling for the states to de-clutter the school curriculum! The minister is a bit behind the times. We are doing a lot of things to ensure that the basics are taught in our primary schools. First, we are reintroducing a school syllabus that was abolished in 1998. That syllabus will come back into schools next year. We are providing worksheet examples for classroom teachers, particularly new teachers who are a bit unsure of what they should be doing in the classroom at any point in time. Worksheets will be available. More sample materials will be available for schools. We are also making sure that teachers will be able mark in the traditional way. The entire education debate in recent years has been about this matter. Teachers will now be able to mark in the way that they are used to. That will mean that teachers will spend a lot less time on assessment and a lot more time on teaching. Mr J.H.D. Day : Is that for year 12 English? Mr M. McGOWAN : We have been over that issue many times. In years 11 and 12 there has been a return to a system of marking that will ensure a fine-grade assessment. That is what has been requested. Again, we moved away from that when members opposite were in government. We will ensure also that more than 50 per cent of the time of primary schoolchildren is spent on literacy and numeracy. We are achieving basic standards and good standards in education. We are not heading towards the teaching of manners.
Ms J.A. Radisich : Why only young women? Mr M. McGOWAN : She might have been referring to young men as well and to teaching them how to walk appropriately, Pygmalion-style! The same minister who was urging the states to adopt that sort of arrangement in our school classrooms is now calling for the states to de-clutter the school curriculum! The minister is a bit behind the times. We are doing a lot of things to ensure that the basics are taught in our primary schools. First, we are reintroducing a school syllabus that was abolished in 1998. That syllabus will come back into schools next year. We are providing worksheet examples for classroom teachers, particularly new teachers who are a bit unsure of what they should be doing in the classroom at any point in time. Worksheets will be available. More sample materials will be available for schools. We are also making sure that teachers will be able mark in the traditional way. The entire education debate in recent years has been about this matter. Teachers will now be able to mark in the way that they are used to. That will mean that teachers will spend a lot less time on assessment and a lot more time on teaching. Mr J.H.D. Day : Is that for year 12 English? Mr M. McGOWAN : We have been over that issue many times. In years 11 and 12 there has been a return to a system of marking that will ensure a fine-grade assessment. That is what has been requested. Again, we moved away from that when members opposite were in government. We will ensure also that more than 50 per cent of the time of primary schoolchildren is spent on literacy and numeracy. We are achieving basic standards and good standards in education. We are not heading towards the teaching of manners.
Mr M. McGOWAN : She might have been referring to young men as well and to teaching them how to walk appropriately, Pygmalion-style! The same minister who was urging the states to adopt that sort of arrangement in our school classrooms is now calling for the states to de-clutter the school curriculum! The minister is a bit behind the times. We are doing a lot of things to ensure that the basics are taught in our primary schools. First, we are reintroducing a school syllabus that was abolished in 1998. That syllabus will come back into schools next year. We are providing worksheet examples for classroom teachers, particularly new teachers who are a bit unsure of what they should be doing in the classroom at any point in time. Worksheets will be available. More sample materials will be available for schools. We are also making sure that teachers will be able mark in the traditional way. The entire education debate in recent years has been about this matter. Teachers will now be able to mark in the way that they are used to. That will mean that teachers will spend a lot less time on assessment and a lot more time on teaching. Mr J.H.D. Day : Is that for year 12 English? Mr M. McGOWAN : We have been over that issue many times. In years 11 and 12 there has been a return to a system of marking that will ensure a fine-grade assessment. That is what has been requested. Again, we moved away from that when members opposite were in government. We will ensure also that more than 50 per cent of the time of primary schoolchildren is spent on literacy and numeracy. We are achieving basic standards and good standards in education. We are not heading towards the teaching of manners.
Mr J.H.D. Day : Is that for year 12 English? Mr M. McGOWAN : We have been over that issue many times. In years 11 and 12 there has been a return to a system of marking that will ensure a fine-grade assessment. That is what has been requested. Again, we moved away from that when members opposite were in government. We will ensure also that more than 50 per cent of the time of primary schoolchildren is spent on literacy and numeracy. We are achieving basic standards and good standards in education. We are not heading towards the teaching of manners.
Mr M. McGOWAN : We have been over that issue many times. In years 11 and 12 there has been a return to a system of marking that will ensure a fine-grade assessment. That is what has been requested. Again, we moved away from that when members opposite were in government. We will ensure also that more than 50 per cent of the time of primary schoolchildren is spent on literacy and numeracy. We are achieving basic standards and good standards in education. We are not heading towards the teaching of manners.
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