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Dr Elizabeth Rata, a member of the advisory panel, sent word that she had “the English writing team, date and venue ready”.
Normally, the Ministry of Education selects writing team members in consultation with the relevant teacher subject associations.
The emails also show that at least one member of the advisory panel declined Treaty of Waitangi As a basis for inclusion Maori The authors’ works were listed as works that children should read in school, citing quality as the only reason for their inclusion. The identity of the person who wrote the statement was not included in the email sent to Royal Bank of New Zealand.
The Ministry of Education said Royal Bank of New Zealand Lata’s actions in contacting potential writing team members exceeded the Advisory Panel’s remit, but the Advisory Panel accepted her selections based on their expertise and competence.
Ellen MacGregor-Reid, head of the Ministry of Education’s curriculum centre, said: “We recognise that there may have been some confusion initially about the scope of the MAG’s role within the writing group, which led to this situation. However, the Ministry of Education has clearly addressed this issue and clarified this with MAG members.”
The Department for Education did not confirm whether the advisory panel approved other members of the curriculum writing team.
McGregor Reid said the writing group and the Ministry of Education were working together to develop a draft curriculum that recognised the Treaty of Waitangi.
“It’s important to note that the writing group does not decide on the final product. All of their work is checked and input by the Department for Education, undergoes IQA (internal quality assurance) by the Education Review Office (ERO) and will be open for public comment as a necessary part of the process,” she said.
Earlier this year, Rata told Royal Bank of New Zealand The draft curriculum will include Compulsory Shakespeare and grammar classes.
The emails heightened concerns among secondary English teachers that the content of the rewritten courses will change, as will their subject relevance. English Language Teaching Associationholding its annual meeting Dunedin Later this week.
Pip Tinning, president of the English Language Teaching Association, said the ministry would usually ask the teaching community to nominate curriculum writing groups or discuss possible members with the association and keep teachers informed of progress.
She said none of that had happened and emails showed it was a ministerial advisory panel, not the Department of Education, that was responsible for overseeing curriculum changes.
“I guess the reason we’re frustrated is because the Minister of Education sent us a letter saying that normal procedures had been followed, so these emails suggest that wasn’t the case.”
Tinning said writing groups should include a variety of perspectives.
“It’s really important not to get stuck in an echo chamber of one particular viewpoint,” she said.
“What we’re really keen on is for different voices to be heard and for really robust solutions to be put forward. Because that process has not been followed, these emails show that robustness is missing and it has effectively been taken over by a small group of people.”
Tinning said the Ministry of Education’s silence also worried teachers.
“All of our English advisers, our contacts for English subjects at the Ministry of Education have lost their jobs. So we have not heard anything from the Ministry of Education in any official capacity. And frankly, that is unacceptable.”
Tinning said some members of the association wanted a more prescriptive curriculum, but most were unhappy with the way the curriculum was rewritten.
“The vast majority of people are shocked by the process.”
Tinning said the email dismissing the Treaty of Waitangi was concerning.
The email lists examples of Māori writing that will be incorporated into the English curriculum.
“These writers and works are on the list for one reason and one reason only – their quality ensures them a place in the New Zealand literary canon. I do not accept that a revisionist interpretation of articles 2 and 3 of the Treaty is a reason for their inclusion on the list,” the release said.
“The belief system and traditional practices of the Matauranga Maori are not included in the English curriculum. However, the beliefs and practices that need to be taught are included.”
Tinning said Maori students did not achieve the same academic results as other students and schools should abide by the terms of the Treaty and be good Treaty partners.
“It is unacceptable to treat Matauranga Māori as an afterthought, as something that might be of interest. It needs to be embedded in the essence of the New Zealand English subject.”
– Royal Bank of New Zealand
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