In a landmark move last week, education authorities released changes to the HSC syllabus – but not everyone was happy.
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The NSW Educational Standards Authority released a new-look HSC syllabus in a major overhaul to come into effect from next year. The changes include a back-to-basics approach for English, with a focus on literacy and grammar.
New syllabuses would also be released for Maths, Science and History following a four-year consultation period with teachers and academics.
In History, students will look at how the modern world was shaped, with topics including the Enlightenment, the French Revolution and the expansion of capitalism, while there would be a requirement to study a non-European and non-western topic.Mathematics was also given an overhaul.
The new syllabuses are part of the NSW Government’s HSC reforms announced last year.
Chairperson of NESA Tom Alegounarias said the new syllabuses will provide HSC students with a richer learning experience, providing time for students to engage with subjects in more depth and to develop a greater mastery of knowledge and skills.
Aspects of the syllabus raised eyebrows among local parents with New England P&C District Council president Rachael Sowden concerned of the time frame teachers had to learn the new material.
“As parents we have real concerns about the speed at which the syllabus is changing in terms of purchasing new text books and making sure teachers have enough time to understand it before it’s implemented in three and a half terms,” she said.
“It would be interesting to know how much access country teachers and students will get to make sure they are right across new syllabus.
“We also have concerns about the agile and modern nature of physics and maths and yet we are going back to basics in English – it sends a mixed message.
“We realise that the HSC syllabus was certainly older and some of them had been around for a long time and a fresh look is a good thing. While parents do see a change, there are inconsistencies in what they’ve done.”
The NESA said it gathered feedback from more than 7000 teachers, students, professional associations, industry representatives and academics who “overwhelmingly” supported the new syllabuses.