Thursday 8 August 2019

Hansard of the Legislative Council
Education - Civics and Citizenship

Mr FINCH question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

[2.50 p.m.]
I spoke about the inadequacy of political education in Tasmanian schools in a special interest speech in May. 

(1)  Have my arguments been taken on board by the Government? 

(2)  Does it have any proposals to get more education about our political and democratic       systems into curriculums? 

I note the Victorian Government is to overhaul the teaching of civics and citizenship following a campaign by students who are concerned that young people are disengaged from politics.

ANSWER

Mr President, I thank the member for Rosevears for his question.

(1) and (2)

The Tasmanian Government is committed to the teaching of civics and citizenship in Tasmanian schools.  It is an expectation that all schools implement the Civics and Citizenship curriculum as a component of the Australian Curriculum: Humanities and Social Sciences as outlined by the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority.

Civics and Citizenship is a required element of the curriculum for students in years 3 to 8.  The teaching of civics and citizenship within Tasmanian government schools is supported through professional learning that is available to teachers and leaders in all government schools.

The professional learning will be further supported by teaching and learning resources for all aspects of the humanities and social sciences, which are currently under development.