Queensland’s principals have welcomed Wednesday’s announcement by Education Minister Grace Grace to delay the rollout of Version 9.0 of the Australian Curriculum.
Implementation of the curriculum in schools will be delayed for a further 12 months to give teachers and curriculum leaders adequate time to deepen their understanding of Version 9.0, develop new lessons and assessments, and make the necessary pedagogical shifts required to engage students with the significant changes.
Responding to the announcement, Pat Murphy, President of the Queensland Association of State School Principals (QASSP) said the delay will allow school leaders and teachers to manage the additional workload of the substantial changes in a way that best suits their contexts, amidst the everyday busyness of their schools.
“School leaders acknowledge the support shown by the Minister and senior departmental officers in recognising the impact of the updated curriculum on schools, particularly as we continue to grapple with ongoing teacher shortages,” Murphy said.
“The changes to the curriculum are significant. It’s important we take the time to get it right.”
Queensland Catholic Primary Principals Association president, Gavin Rick said Catholic schools have long been committed to curriculum directions outlined by the Queensland Education Minister and it will be “no exception that they acknowledge the new direction proposed”.
“Each of the five Dioceses have their own autonomous Curriculum Rollout Plans and their own Curriculum Implementation and Support Teams. Nevertheless, they all believe that the delayed rollout of the latest version will be supported by all, giving them extra space to examine and implement this new Curriculum,” Rick said in a statement provided to The Educator.
“It will allow them more time to analyse the pedagogy and practice required and put it into action in this period where workload issues for teachers are continually escalating. They will re-design their Implementation Plans accordingly.”
Independent Schools Queensland executive officer, Chris Mountford has been contacted for comment.