New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa
Since 2003 the Ministry of Education has undertaken the curriculum marautanga project to implement The Curriculum Stocktake Report recommendations, aiming to build on the already sound structure of the national curriculum and on the progressive, forward thinking in schools. The revision of the New Zealand curriculum is a result of the recommendations of The Curriculum Stocktake Report to the Minister of Education in September 2002.
Though The Curriculum Stocktake Report found the structure of the current primary and secondary curriculum provided a sound framework for teaching and learning in New Zealand schools, it made 11 recommendations for how the curriculum should be shaped to better meet the needs of diverse students.
The Curriculum Project has four goals. These are to:
- Refine and clarify outcomes
The re-developed curriculum will be more coherent and set a clear direction for learning for all students in New Zealand schools. - Focus on effective teaching
The daily and complex challenge for teachers is that they need strategies to teach a diverse group of learners effectively and simultaneously in all areas of the curriculum. - Strengthen school ownership of curriculum
Schools will have the flexibility to adapt the national curriculum to meet the needs of the students in a particular school. - Support communication and strengthen partnerships with parents and communities
Research shows that engaging parents and communities in what children learn and do in schools is essential for successful learning outcomes.
It is proposed that the draft curriculum will be in schools in June 2006 for consultation and feedback. Information about the project will be constantly updated at New Zealand Curriculum Marautanga Project.