Foreword

This statement represents an exciting new development for New Zealand schooling. It is the first national curriculum statement to be developed for the learning area of technology, identified as one of the essential learning areas in The New Zealand Curriculum Framework. It represents a new requirement for schools in that technology education will now be part of the curriculum for all students in New Zealand schools.

This curriculum statement provides the basis for technology programmes in schools from year 1 to year 13; that is, from junior classes to form 2 in primary schools and from form 3 to form 7 in secondary schools.

This curriculum replaces the Forms 1-4 Workshop Craft Syllabus for Schools (1986).

The Minister of Education requested the development of the technology curriculum in 1991, as part of a broad initiative aimed at improving student achievement. The development process initially involved a policy development phase which included scrutiny of technology education developments occurring in many other countries. This was followed, in 1993, by the development of a draft statement which was circulated to schools and interested groups for comment and discussion. This final version takes into account the many responses that were received to the draft statement, as well as experience from school trials and pilot teacher development programmes.

The technology curriculum aims to develop technological literacy through three integrated learning strands to enable students to participate fully in the technological society and economy in which they will live and work. This curriculum seeks to enable and empower students with the know-how they will need to make informed choices about technology, and to be the technological innovators of the future.

I am grateful to all who have contributed to this exciting and challenging development, especially Ministry staff, the writers, the members of reference groups, and the members of the Minister's advisory group, all of whom gave freely of their time, experience, and expertise.

Dr Maris O'Rourke
Secretary for Education