The New Zealand curriculum was the centrepiece of the APEC Education Ministers� meeting in Peru last week and was widely praised, Education Minister Chris Carter said.
At the request of Peru�s Education Minister and host of the conference, Jose Antonio Chang Escobedo, Mr Carter delivered a keynote presentation on how we have successfully modernised our school curriculum.
�Our curriculum is regarded as world-class and New Zealand is at the forefront internationally on curriculum change. We were asked to take centre-stage at the conference opening because of the recognised quality of our new curriculum,� said Chris Carter.
Chris Carter said New Zealand�s curriculum is seen as a best-practice model by APEC and other countries are deeply interested in modernising their own school curricula along similar lines.
�The 19 countries present were keen to hear about how we have developed our curriculum, especially its collaborative approach involving the public, business, unions, students, principals, teachers and other educationalists.�
In developing the new curriculum 15,000 people were consulted and 10,000 written submissions were made. The draft document was peer reviewed by international and national education experts.
The APEC Education Ministers� Joint Statement highlighted the importance of education systems focusing on the kinds of broad competencies that are included in the new New Zealand curriculum.
�These competencies are not solely aimed at preparing all young people to work in a 21st century economy, but also at becoming quality citizens in a diverse and interconnected local, national and global society,� Chris Carter said.
