Debate in Australia over history curriculum standards
AUSTRALIA'S curriculum chief today argued that the study of history would increase as he fended off allegations that he was promoting a"black armband"version of the past.
Professor Barry McGaw told The Australian Online that the proposed national curriculum did not underplay the role of Europeans in Australian history.
He was responding to opposition education spokesman Christopher Pyne, who argued that the draft curriculum, unveiled today by Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd, placed too much emphasis on indigenous history.
“I'm disappointed that (Mr Pyne) feels that having looked at the material,” said Professor McGaw, the head of the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority.
“It's not our intention that there's to be no European history”.
Professor McGaw said the curriculum would bolster the study of history and promote a more balanced view of Australia's past....
Read entire article at The Australian (AU)
Professor Barry McGaw told The Australian Online that the proposed national curriculum did not underplay the role of Europeans in Australian history.
He was responding to opposition education spokesman Christopher Pyne, who argued that the draft curriculum, unveiled today by Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd, placed too much emphasis on indigenous history.
“I'm disappointed that (Mr Pyne) feels that having looked at the material,” said Professor McGaw, the head of the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority.
“It's not our intention that there's to be no European history”.
Professor McGaw said the curriculum would bolster the study of history and promote a more balanced view of Australia's past....