After years of individual state curriculums for school, the first national curriculum has been released for public discussion (full plan can be viewed here). The new curriculum plans to cover less topics, but in more depth, and with a greater focus on indigenous and Asian histories.

But how does the new curriculum hold up? Is the ‘back to basics’ (or ‘basics and beyond‘) attitude a positive one, or are we at risk of oversimplifying our education system? Will the culture wars continue in our classrooms?

National Times

Tim Hawkes: Less will mean more in national curriculum

This will be welcome news to many teachers now engaged in frantic topic-hopping as they seek to cover the wide breadth of material in the existing curriculum. We need to study less in order to learn more.

Libby Tudball: Curriculum’s narrow focus leaves students bereft of big ideas

Yes, we want students who are knowledgeable in maths, science, history and English, but we must recognise that some of the most important knowledge will not fall neatly into these disciplines – politics, multiculturalism, water shortages, increasing violence and under-age drinking are vital concerns in their lives.

The Age

Farrah Tomazin and Miki Perkins: A sound beginning

But while most observers agree that national consistency will make it easier for the thousands of students who move interstate each year, the extent to which the curriculum will actually lift the performance of Australian schools is a moot point

Sydney Morning Herald

Anna Patty: Whirlwind education reform leaves nation’s teachers in a spin

It is designed to give the Education Minister, Julia Gillard, something tangible to offer voters come election time later this year – the problems will come later, as teachers (who were not consulted in the curriculum drafting process) struggle to teach unfamiliar subjects.

The Punch

David Penberthy: Taking off the white blindfold and black armband

And from what has been reported so far, and judging from the information on the curriculum website, the architects of this new framework have tried hard to be neither the captives of the left nor the right in determining what our young people learn about who we are.

Herald Sun

Phillip Hudson: Look out Kevin, it’s Julia who’s driving the crucial class action

But Julia Gillard really has presided over an education revolution. She has forced through radical changes, but they are anything but Left-wing.

Courier Mail

Dennis Atkins: Rudd, Abbott and Gillard have a different spin on plain speaking

It was a clear demonstration of clearly understandable policy, clearly communicated. Perhaps she’ll give her boss some tips.