Following sustained pressure from the IEUA NSW/ACT Branch and teacher subject associations, the NSW Board of Studies has finally responded to questions about the affect of the Australian Curriculum on teacher’s employment.
NSW Education Minister Verity Firth had initially been dismissive of submissions made by the Union, which indicated the proposed curriculum could lead to significant staffing problems in schools.
However, after a productive meeting between the IEU and NSW Board, the Board President advised the Union that there would be no change to indicative hours in NSW across key learning areas for K-10 into the future.
Mr Alegounarias (NSW Board of Studies) said that the Board has advised ACARA that the Australian Curriculum should be in line with the current time allocations in the NSW curriculum.
NSW/ACT IEU Education Issues Committee Convener Sandra White says she is pleased there has been a resolution on this issue, and that the Board has recognised there is a need to keep teachers better informed of developments.
“Strong and collective action by teachers and the Union has led to a common sense approach by the Board,” Sandra says.
“However, we need to remain vigilant as the Australian Curriculum is developed further.”