Education Minister Simon Birmingham struggles to explain his revolutionary plan for schools
EDUCATION Minister Simon Birmingham struggled in his first test at explaining his plan to revolutionise how children are taught in schools.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
EDUCATION Minister Simon Birmingham struggled in his first test at explaining his plan to revolutionise how children are taught in schools.
The Daily Telegraph’s Miranda Devine challenged Mr Birmingham during her online radio show to explain exactly what the plan — dubbed Gonksi 2.0 — would mean for kids and parents.
“The specifics are probably tailored more to the medium and long-term effects in creating improvements in what happens in classrooms,” he said.
“I don’t pretend any of this is easy or can be instantly done overnight, but I can see it’s got the potential to make sure we don’t continue to have the circumstance where fewer kids are achieving at the standards they used to be.”
The 156-page plan launched yesterday says classrooms will be overhauled to focus on “individualised learning” for children and teaching “general capabilities” instead of specifics in schools.
The plan, which proposes ongoing online assessments for students and not just NAPLAN tests, is meant to respond to international metrics that show Australia has fallen behind the rest of the world in education. It drew mixed responses, with some educators arguing NSW has already implemented many of the recommendations — such as individual learning plans. Others welcomed the report.
MORE
JENNIFER BUCKINHAM: Taxpayers’ money and solutions Gonski
MIRANDA LIVE: What Gonski 2.0 means for your kids
Parents and Citizens Federation president Susie Boyd called for more clarity about online testing of students.
“While we welcome the personalised approach to learning that focuses on the individual needs of each student and aims to equip students with the tools to think and learn autonomously, there needs to be more clarity around the recommended online and on demand student learning assessment,” Ms Boyd said.
LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW:
Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta executive director of Greg Whitby agreed with the report’s finding that the existing schooling model is no longer “fit for purpose”.
“Schools have been operating like a factory,” Mr Whitby said. “You start at one end and are chucked out the other end.
“What Gonski has said is that’s not right. All children are not the same. You need to personalise the learning.”
MORE MIRANDA LIVE:
• MIRANDA LIVE: Should we legalise cannabis?
• Miranda Live: The veteran helping to put our wounded warriors back together
• MIRANDA LIVE: Mathias Cormann concerned about banking allegations
Teachers Federation president Maurie Mulheron said the report contained “recycled ideas” already used in NSW.
NSW Education Minister Rob Stokes welcomed the report’s observation that NAPLAN in its present form is limited by its focus on achievement rather than growth.
“The report observes that the best school systems are moving from standardised testing to a mix of more sophisticated evaluation measures,” Mr Stokes said.
Police probe after woman stabbed while holding infant
Dubbo police are appealing for help from the public after a woman was stabbed while she was holding an infant during a terrifying motel robbery. Here’s what we know.
‘Let the public down’: Jo Haylen quits over chauffeur scandal
Transport Minister Jo Haylen has resigned over the use of taxpayer funded ministerial drivers to chauffeur her to multiple private events including winery trips, private country lunches and weekend kids sports.