Central Coast Council P&C (CCCP&C) has welcomed an announcement that primary teachers in NSW public schools will receive extra release time and support to understand and implement curriculum reforms which start in the classroom from next year.
The new K-2 syllabuses are the first stage of the reform with a focus on streamlining content and mastering the basics of reading, writing and maths.
The curriculum release time will be in addition to the weekly release time from face-to-face teaching that is provided to all NSW public school teachers.
CCC P&C spokesperson, Sharryn Brownlee, said parents are happy to hear that extra staff will be in primary schools supporting teachers to ensure the new curriculum is thoroughly understood and able to be implemented.
“The importance of having a strong foundation in literacy and numeracy in the early years of schooling is well understood,” she said.
“Ensuring all primary teachers are able to make sure every child is learning is vital.
“The implementation of the new curriculum must be successful, making sure every student is able to read, write and understand mathematics.
“Communities rightly expect primary schools to give students the keys they need to unlock their full learning potential and give them the scaffolding they need to succeed.”
Minister for Education, Sarah Mitchell, said the $15M investment for release time will give primary teachers the opportunity to fully engage with the new curriculum and to maximise the benefits for students.
“We want to ensure that the benefits of the new syllabuses reach students in the classroom, which is why we are providing time in 2022 to enable teachers to successfully implement the new curriculum,” Mitchell said.
“This investment will provide time for our teachers to get up to speed with the new syllabuses in the curriculum, leveraging the new resources and advice to drive great outcomes for students.”
Other support measures include targeted professional learning, quality-assured resources, and teaching and learning advice – for example, sample programs and lesson plans – which are being developed in consultation with teachers.
By 2023, more than 1,350 full time equivalent new Assistant Principals, Curriculum and Instruction positions will be supporting 1,755 schools with Preschool to Year 6 enrolments with a focus on literacy and numeracy.
Terry Collins