Julia Gillard confuses the money for Building the Education Revolution that finances gymnasiums and libraries and the like, with funding professional development and support for teachers in the new National curriculum.

On ABC radio this week, the deputy Prime Minster side stepped a question concerning the funding of teacher professional development for the National curriculum due to be implemented by all schools across Australia by 2011. That’s next year! She dismissed the question and continued to describe the dollars put-up by the federal government as part of the stimulus package being helpful for the states and territories when introducing the new curriculum to their teachers.

While media commentators and politicians front up at the launch, teachers are worried about changes at the “chalk-face”. With so little time to comment and even shorter time to trial the curriculum, teachers and those responsible really have little choice in accepting a fundamental change to what and how they teach.

The National curriculum in itself is not necessarily a bad thing. It will bring some positive change to many families who change states during each year. It will also mean more testing and data to be available the MySchool website in the future. Again, this is not necessarily a terrible issue. However, why do the needs of 80,000 students who regularly change states dictate the terms and what our children learn in Australia? Those 80,000 seem important. Important enough, you would think, to fund teachers to teach and educate students with the new curriculum.

The recent insulation problems deaths, fires and scams are not and will not be limited to one industry. The federal government needs to prove that they can fund and conduct a scheme or program competently. The National curriculum demands thorough and skilled people at all levels if it is to be a success. In an election year, it is too easy to grand stand and take the kudos – Liberal or Labor.

The Australian Education Union and the NSW/ACT Independent Education Union both decry the lack of allocation of resources and timing. The states and territories have accepted funding from the government on the basis of agreeing to certain terms – one of them being agreeing to implement the National curriculum. The unions support these in principle but teachers want fair and reasonable implementation and support.

A considered and reflective approach that would allow a high standard of feedback and trial is needed. We risk getting a curriculum for all Australian students in name only. Let us hope that something as important as education fairs better and is a turning point in our children’s future.