Scottish classrooms are heading for “chaos” if the new curriculum is implemented this summer, a teaching union warns.
The Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association, which represents 8500 secondary school teachers, said a survey of members has found they are “angry and concerned” at a lack of preparation for the switch and feel education secretary Mike Russell has failed to listen to concerns.
The Curriculum for Excellence, the biggest shake-up of Scottish education for many years, is meant to give schools more flexibility over what and how they teach.
But many teachers are worried they have not been given enough time and resources to ensure they and their pupils can cope with demands being made.
SSTA president Anne Ballinger said teachers are fully behind the principles of CfE, but the survey clearly demonstrates the potential for chaos if secondary schools have to move over to the new system as planned in August.ClarificationShe said, “Over 89% of those teachers who responded confirm that further resources are needed before the new curriculum can be successfully implemented, with a worrying 78.4% stating that clarification of course content is essential.
“Over 93% stated that assessment criteria for S1 and S2 courses was essential. One respondent compared the current situation with attempting to design a new car by starting with the wheel trim.
“The most encouraging of the responses is that between 56% and 70% of members believe they are able to contribute effectively to cross-curricular aspects of the proposed curriculum.
“The major concern is the missing elements, particularly the lack of information and resources which delay positive action and which sabotage attempts to develop appropriate courses for Scottish secondary pupils.
“The future of our pupils is far too important to risk implementing an under-developed and partially prepared curriculum model. Any future amendments and repairs will be too late to alleviate the potential damage to pupils starting secondary school in August 2010.”
Mrs Ballinger added that teachers are also very concerned about the lack of effective training, with 91.7% judging the quality of continuing professional development received to be poor or very poor.MediocrityOne teacher who took part in the survey said, “This is the most poorly thought-out curricular development in the 30 years I have been teaching. It is more a curriculum for mediocrity than anything else.”
Another claimed, “It is a nebulous idea that has been brought in for change’s sake in an attempt to pacify a small minority who will always consider education is not meeting their needs.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said, “These type of concerns have been raised by the SSTA for some time and we know that not every teacher is fully confident about the new curriculum at this stage. This is exactly why the education secretary has put in place a 10-point plan to provide extra support and reassurance and £3 million of new resources.
“The 10-point plan which was based on emerging evidence from our own survey of teachers provides exactly the type and nature of support that this SSTA survey suggests teachers want.
“Every secondary school which says it needs support will receive it. The surveys, plan and other available evidence will be discussed by the management board who will provide advice to Mr Russell on the way forward.”