Our Lady of the Nativity Lawson Photo: Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta

The New South Wales Government has responded to the recommendations of the NSW Curriculum Review led by Professor Geoff Masters, and has outlined an ambitious program for streamlining and strengthening what is taught in the state's schools over the next four years.

The reforms in the NSW Government Response include:

• building strong foundations for future learning by 2022 with new English and Mathematics syllabuses for Kindergarten to Year 2
• more time for teaching by 2022 by reducing the hours teachers spend on extra-curricular topics and compliance requirements
• strengthening post school pathways by 2022 with new learning areas for Years 11 and 12 that clearly link learning to future employment and study options
• a new curriculum from 2024 with new syllabuses focused on what is essential to know and do in early and middle years of schooling, and key learning areas in the senior years

The government accepted the recommendations in the report which found there is too much clutter in most syllabuses.

Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said the new curriculum will give teachers and students more time to focus on the key learning areas necessary for a deeper understanding of core concepts.

"The new curriculum will also ensure every student develops strong foundations for learning, life and work," she said. 

"The NSW Government is setting an ambitious timeline for reform. A new English and Mathematics curriculum for Kindergarten – Year 2 students will be introduced by 2022. By 2024, the new curriculum will be available across all years.

"The NSW Government wants to ensure that both VET and academic subjects are recognised as equally valuable. By 2022, new learning areas will be developed for Years 11 and 12 to clearly link school-based subjects to employment and study options," Ms Mitchell said.

"We will work with industry and post-school providers to ensure students have even better connections for their future."

The New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA), comprised of the leaders of all NSW government and non-government education systems, will oversee the rewriting of the curriculum.

Catholic schools response

CSNSW chief executive officer Dallas McInerney welcomed the review and the state government's response saying the recommendations represent "a significant and ambitious policy platform to better the future of students".

"We are pleased to see the government’s commitment to a timetable to implement these important recommendations," Dallas said.

"CSNSW shares the vision of the NSW Government. We want NSW to be the best place in the world to be a school student, and the government’s commitment to the recommendations is a critical step on this path. 

Dallas said CSNSW supports the government’s ambitious timeline, and looks forward to working closely on the implementation.

"The challenge now is to see through the implementation of these recommendations."  

Download the NSW Government Response