Curriculum Council of WA to oversee school syllabus development

December 14, 1995

A new statutory authority, the Curriculum Council of Western Australia, is to be established by the State Government.

Making the announcement today, Education Minister Norman Moore said the council would give the community a real input into the content of the curriculum taught in all schools in the State.

"The council will set the educational aims for all schools in WA and be responsible for curriculum development and syllabus materials in all subjects," Mr Moore said.

"Currently, the syllabuses being used are up to 15-years-old and clearly need updating if students are to have an education which equips them to deal with the 21st century."

The establishment of the council follows community consultation and a 12-month review, headed by the Director of Catholic Education Therese Temby who was assisted by the Education Department's Deputy Director-General Jerry Skivinis.

The review looked at the current curriculum procedures because of an awareness that there was little community involvement in the present arrangements.

"I was keen to see a common curriculum framework which outlines what all school children should know and be able to do.  No such framework exists at the moment," Mr Moore said.

"While I acknowledge the significant contribution of the Education Department over the years, I am also very aware that the community and the non-Government school sector should have a far greater say in the development of the curricula for all WA schools.

"There will be many benefits flowing to students, parents and teachers as a result the proposed changes, which include the council taking over the role of the Secondary Education Authority.

"Students will be provided with an up-to-date curriculum which reflects community expectations and the best educational knowledge and expertise.  For parents, it means more information on, and input into, what their children are expected to learn as they progress through the system.

"Teachers can expect a systematic review and development of syllabus documentation, which will be supported by a common professional development plan."

Mr Moore said the council's approach would allow individual schools and school systems to set their own policies on how learning objectives would be met.

An Interim Council, chaired by Mrs Temby, would be established to provide advice on the creation of the new authority and initiate development of the curriculum framework.

The council will be formally established at the beginning of 1997.

Media contact: Anabel Gomez  (09) 321 1444 or pgr:  480 5325