Like any caricature, Dickens' portrayal of Victorian English schools no doubt contains truth. But a close look at New Zealand's early school system reveals a rather different picture.
Dame Elizabeth Rata is making a documentary lecture series on the history of New Zealand education. The four episodes published so far focus on the 19th century.
New Zealand's nascent school system was an essential element of nation building. Like the young nation itself, New Zealand's early schools were rooted in the classical liberal value of equality. A standardised syllabus aimed to give children across the country equal access to knowledge.
Unsurprisingly, the country that later became the first to give women the vote placed strong emphasis on educating girls. There was an equally strong commitment to the education of Māori children.
The Native Schools Act of 1867 saw schools established in Māori communities across the country. Māori had a strong say in how those schools were run through school committees.
Instruction was in English, which many Māori wanted. Being educated in English gave young Māori access to wider civic and economic participation. For those of lower status in Māori society, education was a path to greater social equality.
The Education Act of 1877 made schooling fees-free and compulsory for children aged seven to thirteen. Families more than two miles from a school were exempt, which spurred demand to establish schools in remote areas.
In today's terms, the 19th-century school curriculum was 'knowledge-rich'. Teachers used direct instruction approaches now associated with the science of learning. Literacy teaching emphasised phonics.
For reasons Dame Elizabeth will explore in forthcoming episodes, that was all largely abandoned in the late 20th century, at great cost.
In many ways, New Zealand's reforms of the past three years bring education full circle. Phonics instruction is back. So is a knowledge-rich curriculum.
Students learn best when teachers connect new knowledge to what children already know, in rich, interesting contexts. The new curriculum is structured to support that approach.
Tedious, disconnected teaching like that favoured by Gradgrind does not work. But as New Zealand's educational pioneers were aware, knowledge is essential to prosperity and democratic participation.
Even Gradgrind was half right!
Listen to Michael's conversation with Dame Elizabeth on our podcast and watch her documentary lecture series on her YouTube channel.
Dr Michael Johnston is a Senior Fellow at the New Zealand Initiative. This article was first published HERE
New Zealand's nascent school system was an essential element of nation building. Like the young nation itself, New Zealand's early schools were rooted in the classical liberal value of equality. A standardised syllabus aimed to give children across the country equal access to knowledge.
Unsurprisingly, the country that later became the first to give women the vote placed strong emphasis on educating girls. There was an equally strong commitment to the education of Māori children.
The Native Schools Act of 1867 saw schools established in Māori communities across the country. Māori had a strong say in how those schools were run through school committees.
Instruction was in English, which many Māori wanted. Being educated in English gave young Māori access to wider civic and economic participation. For those of lower status in Māori society, education was a path to greater social equality.
The Education Act of 1877 made schooling fees-free and compulsory for children aged seven to thirteen. Families more than two miles from a school were exempt, which spurred demand to establish schools in remote areas.
In today's terms, the 19th-century school curriculum was 'knowledge-rich'. Teachers used direct instruction approaches now associated with the science of learning. Literacy teaching emphasised phonics.
For reasons Dame Elizabeth will explore in forthcoming episodes, that was all largely abandoned in the late 20th century, at great cost.
In many ways, New Zealand's reforms of the past three years bring education full circle. Phonics instruction is back. So is a knowledge-rich curriculum.
Students learn best when teachers connect new knowledge to what children already know, in rich, interesting contexts. The new curriculum is structured to support that approach.
Tedious, disconnected teaching like that favoured by Gradgrind does not work. But as New Zealand's educational pioneers were aware, knowledge is essential to prosperity and democratic participation.
Even Gradgrind was half right!
Listen to Michael's conversation with Dame Elizabeth on our podcast and watch her documentary lecture series on her YouTube channel.
Dr Michael Johnston is a Senior Fellow at the New Zealand Initiative. This article was first published HERE
5 comments:
The new knowledge-rich curriculum represents a great leap forward to much improved teaching and learning across our schools, and indeed towards a wider education system that will serve our schoolchildren well and will bear comparison with the education of other countries.
Sincerest congratulations are due to Erica Stanford and her team for their patience and perseverance. Thanks and recognition are due to all who have been so supportive of the knowledge-rich curriculum and other initiatives, and who have advanced their support so constructively and politely.
In particular, we recognise the most valuable contributions of the Aotearoa Educators Collective, especially Dr. Rose Hipkins, and we state our great appreciation of much quite splendid advice provided in good faith by leading authorities such as Ms. Brianna Anglesey, whose expertise and highly insightful guidance on curriculum design have been offered most generously, and always with kindness, politeness and circumspection.
As New Zealand moves forward towards a better future in education, we can be assured of the ongoing support of such experts and equally confident that together we can make education great again!
Annon @October 5, 2026 at 8:20 AM
Dr. Rose Hipkins? The lady that stated she wanted to decolonize the education system?
The one who gave her son, Chippy, advice while he was minister of education between 2017-2023.
You must be kidding. She offers marginal advice.
To anonymous at 8.20. Not at all. With the unqualified support of the Aotearoa Educators Collective, we can re-create the world class education we once had.
Have you , David , actually read the AEC mandate , which is centered on 'The Treaty', Paulo Freire's Marxist rhetoric, anti colonisation, resisting all anti Progressive attacks , has very aggressive attacks on people like Michael Johnston and the Inititaive , resisting all Stanford's reforms, has Marie Clay's buddies, on the panel of experts, Rosemary Hipkin's features strongly and her comments are very caustic against any politician or other who have implemented the current changes.Furthermore they support open classrooms , Maorification of the entire syllabus especially in science with ingredients like animism , project work, group work, a return to ' whole language ' balanced literacy', fully in with the unions , expressed in articles intense hatred of Elizabeth Rata, James Chapman and other educationalist who have very bravely helped to bring about essential changes along with the rest of the world to stop our slump in international scores in the basics . Non mainstream overseas experts , like cognitive scientists are sought out to feature in their articles to support their stance.
I simply mentioned on their site "the Mississippi Miracle" fact whereby that state went from bottom to average in reading scores by using phonics and their supporter a professor of education , on their site wrote a 1000 word tirade against me . It was pure fury. I also mentioned the NZ long tail of underachievement began in the 1980s with the introduction of Clay's Whole Language and was labelled ' dangerous and abusive ' by another AEC supporter and professor of education .From my perspective, they are totally entrenched to their progressive / Marxist ideology and fighting like hell , any changes to it .AEC was formed with the express stated purpose of stopping all threats to their ideology. Gaynor
David is pulling your leg, Anon.
Post a Comment
Thank you for joining the discussion. Breaking Views welcomes respectful contributions that enrich the debate. Please ensure your comments are not defamatory, derogatory or disruptive. We appreciate your cooperation.