Nurturing Foundations: A Look into New Zealand's Educational Changes for 2024
As we approach a new year, I thought it timely to share my insights into the educational changes taking place in New Zealand's schools. With a new government often comes new change in the realm of Education. With this current change, Education Minister Erica Stanford and the government are steering a course that places an emphasis on the basics, read more below…
1. Increased Focus on Basics: The government is placing a strong emphasis on teaching the basics - reading, writing, and maths. The introduction of a requirement for one hour a day dedicated to each of these subjects for primary students signals a concerted effort to strengthen foundational skills.
2. Distraction-Free Learning: Goodbye, Cellphones. Banning cellphone use during the school day is expected to reduce distractions, potentially leading to increased engagement and achievement. This move aligns with the aim to create a focused and conducive learning environment in schools.
3. A Collaborative Approach: The establishment of a Ministerial Advisory Group to review the primary school English, Maths, and Statistics curricula indicates a commitment to refining and enhancing the teaching methods for these core subjects. The focus is on building on existing work and ensuring clarity and tools for teachers.
4. Knowledge-Rich Curriculum: The intention to review the primary school English and Maths curricula is not to start afresh but to build on existing work and strengthen it. This indicates a commitment to maintaining a knowledge-rich curriculum and providing teachers with the tools needed to teach core subjects effectively.
5. PISA Results as Catalyst: The decline in 2022 PISA results, especially in Maths, seems to be a catalyst for urgent action. The government's response, framed within the "Teaching the Basics Brilliantly" policy, suggests a commitment to reversing the trend of declining achievement in core subjects.
6. Structured Literacy: The focus on structured literacy is evident in the commitment to have structured literacy in every primary classroom. This approach aims to provide a systematic and explicit teaching method for literacy, contributing to improved literacy outcomes for students.
The outlook for primary education in 2024 seems to be one of increased emphasis on foundational skills, a structured and focused learning environment, and collaboration between the government and educators to enhance teaching methods and curriculum. These changes aim to address challenges revealed by recent assessments and lift the quality of education for New Zealand's primary students. Let’s see what the future unfolds…
