Claims+in+the+Media++Week+3++What+should+we+Teach?

​ From an article entitled, "Curriculum Overload", Added subjects a distraction" by Tony Rindfleisch (Sunday Herald Sun) Melbourne, dated 6/2/2005. The author of this article Tony Rindlefleisch is concerned that extra subjects added to the school curriculum over the years has distracted learning away from the literacy and numeracy, the core basics of the curriculum. His article states that even though the majority of these extra subjects are warranted and teach our children worthwhile attributes for life, it comes down to the fact that he feels that reading, writing and mathematics are more important. Mr Fred Ackerman of the Victorian Primary Principal's Association supports the inclusion of these extra subjects as he feels that they assist children to become"more rounded" enabling them to have a "greater capacity" to think and reflect in their learning, instead of just being handed information by the teacher. A spokesperson for the Education Minister, Lynne Koster supported Mr Rindfleisch's views and thus supported a curriculum that focused on literacy and numeracy. It was stated that these subjects helped develop the skills necessary for future employment and success in the business world. It is interesting to note that in 1985 an example of core subjects at school would have been, English, Maths, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, Religious Education and Art. In 2005 it was noted that the subjects were English, Maths, Science, Studies of Society and the Environment, Physical Education, Arts, Technology, Foreign Languages, Information Technology, Bike education, Swimming, Sex education, Religious education, Sun safety, Nutrition, Children's rights, Anti-Bullying, Civics and citizenship, Leadership, Multiculturalism, Road Safety, First Aid, Personal Development, Gifted and Talented programs, Social Skills, Personal finance,Conflict resolution, Mentoring etc etc. The list could probably go on. I agree with some of this article as I think we need Literacy and Numeracy but we also need many of these extra subjects are mentioned above. I feel that the list of what we teach in schools has grown because perhaps of our busy lifestyles and more parents working so things like swimming, road safety, sun safety social skills and bike education have now become the teaching role of the classroom teacher not the parent. In conclusion, we need to learn subjects in the curriculum that are preparing us for what is happening in our world now and what will happen in the future. (Jennifer Thomas) **
 * ​ What should we teach in schools?