Public consultation on education invited

Press, 12 July 1985, Page 2

Public consultation on education invited

By

OLIVER RIDDELL

in Wellington People in New Zealand in the next six months will get a chance to tell the Government what they want taught in schools and how they want it assessed.

Between July 11 and the end of January, 1986, the Government will conduct a sort of referendum on education that will ask seven questions: • What do you expect of our schools?

• What should young people learn and experience in schools? • How should schools reflect the many cultures in New Zealand?

• How should all people be given a fair chance in our schools?

• How should people in schools and the community work together?

• How should schools be organised to help people learn?

• How should the progress and achievement of students be evaluated?

This last question seeks opinions on assessments and awards at senior secondary school.

The Minister of Education, Mr Marshall, said that this new style of consultation had been set up so that everyone would have a chance to give their opinions.

Two committees had been set up by the Government last year to make recommendations on curriculum and assessment in schools.

Every effort was being made to reach all sectors of the community so that by the end of January, 1986, as many points of view as possible could be considered

by the two committees before they wrote their draft reports, said Mr Marshall.

The two committees were the Committee to Review the Curriculum for Schools and the Committee of Inquiry into Curriculum, Assessment and Qualifications in Forms 5 to 7.

He said the two committees wanted to know what New Zealanders believed should be the curriculum for primary and secondary schools and the forms of assessment and qualifications available for students in the future.

Two pamphlets have been devised, “What Do You Expect of Our Schools?” and “What Should Young People Learn and Experience in Schools?”

Both contain some explanatory material and photographs, and pose a

series of questions with space beneath for detailed responses. There will be five more pamphlets of a similar format to ask the other five of the seven main questions.

The two committees have developed four networks through which to release the pamphlets and develop discussion — primary and secondary schools; national organisations; community education organisers; and Maori district councils and the Maori Women’s Welfare League. Mr Marshall promised: “Each person’s response will be valued. The school system cannot meet the needs of the community unless those needs are clearly spelled out. It is hoped that as many New Zealanders as possible will have their say throughout the whole period of the review.”