An overhaul of NSW public schools curriculum will be implemented in 2027. This is what's changing
Education Minister Prue Car says it's the biggest reform to the syllabus in more than 30 years. (ABC Great Southern: Olivia Di Iorio)
An overhauled NSW primary school curriculum will tackle some of the thorniest issues parents face: screen time v physical playtime and consent.
The Minns government says the updated syllabus is the biggest shake-up in three decades and provides more clarity for teachers and ensures children learn concepts and skills in the right order before applying them.
Students will learn about graphs in mathematics, for example, before then using those graphs in geography.
Education Minister Prue Car said the changes were based on global evidence and would elevate student outcomes.
"This is the biggest reform to primary school curriculum in more than 30 years," she said.
These are some of the biggest changes parents and children can expect when they're implemented from 2027.
What is explicit teaching?
Ms Car said a major change in the curriculum is the focus on knowledge, or "explicit teaching," as opposed to a "skill-based" curriculum.
Belinda Brown is a principal at Bowning Public School, 14 kilometres outside Yass, which has 29 children enrolled.
Belinda Brown is a principal at Bowning Public School, near Yass in New South Wales. (ABC News: Brooke Chandler)
She said a focus on explicit teaching would remove clutter from the syllabus, allowing teachers more flexibility.
"Explicit teaching is about knowing exactly where our children are and what are the next steps for them in their learning," she said.
"Our new syllabus really makes that explicit, around where a child is, and what are their next steps to ensure they are improving compared to teaching a whole class."
How subjects will change
The separate subjects of history and geography will be replaced by one: human society and its environment.
This new course will also include compulsory civics and citizenship content that spans democratic roles and the history of voting in a democracy.
Australian history will include Aboriginal cultures as well as the arrival of the First Fleet and what led to the country's federation.
New additions to the curriculum
For the first time, students will learn about a healthy use of digital services and the importance of balancing screen time with outdoor physical activity.
Students with physical disabilities will be provided explicit support to develop movement skills, while age-appropriate lessons will introduce respectful relationships.
This will include seeking, giving, and denying consent, but in relevant scenarios such as sharing toys or joining games.
"From an early age we all know its important that in the most age-appropriate way we teach young children about consent and permission," Ms Car said.
"[For example] can someone hug you for a long period of time if you don't give them permission?"
An understanding of the human body, including the skeletal, respiratory and circulatory systems will also be added under the science and technology umbrella.
Arts, science and technology
The creative arts syllabus will see its first update in 24 years, according to the government.
Students will now be given equal opportunity to explore dance, drama, music, and visual arts, with guidelines ensuring each category is given the same amount of time.
There will be more hands-on experiences outdoors with animals, habitats and ecosystem, while indoors, students will be learning about solar systems, climate, energy, food chains and electricity.