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The Australian Primary Principals Association has produced the first draft of a new primary school charter designed to strengthen curriculum and reduce pressure on primary teachers.
Forum on primary school education
The Australian Primary Principals Association's Draft Charter on Primary Schooling is the result of a forum funded by the Minister of Education, Julie Bishop, held in July 2007.
The forum was attended by 35 leading Australian educational experts—including academics, principals, teachers and parents—who expressed their views on the role of primary school education.
Contents of draft charter
The national president of the Australian Primary Principals Association, Leonie Trimper, said the draft charter had been produced in order to clarify the role of primary school education and to 'de-clutter' the curriculum.
The draft charter states that English, mathematics, science and history should be central to primary school education. According to forum attendees, these are the areas that would most assist children to develop learning, thinking, communication, self-management and technology skills.
Leonie Trimper said these core subjects should be balanced so children have opportunity to participate in other important areas, such as music and physical education, however programs and interventions such as bike safety and financial literacy should only be taught if they don't detract from the core subjects.
'If we are to give our children a proper education foundation in life, the accent must be on core areas that are vital to learning,' said Trimper.
The draft charter also calls for a reduction in time spent on non-core teaching areas in order to reduce pressure on primary teachers:
'Teachers and principals were also saying that the joy, the fun, the pleasure, the curiosity has gone out of teaching and learning in primary'
'[They said] it was far too stressful, it was like working in a pressure cooker, and the importance of the primary years were being lost.'
Read ABC News' 'Primary teachers in back to basics call'.
Call for feedback
Feedback on the Draft Charter on Primary Schooling is currently being sought from over 7000 primary schools, education associations and experts in the field. The final version of the charter will be submitted to federal and state governments for consideration.
Leonie Trimper said that 'The draft Charter is only the beginning. APPA wants it to become the basis for wide-ranging, healthy, and constructive debate that will result in a final Charter that can truly become a blue-print for the future.'
Read the Australian Primary Principals Association's Draft Charter on Primary Schooling.
APPA's relationship with Early Childhood Australia
The Australian Primary Principals Association and Early Childhood Australia worked together to produce the bestselling book, Your child's first year at school. This book is only available to primary school principles in bulk for $9.95 per copy.
Find out more about Your child's first year at school: A book for parents and how to order it.
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