The ADC has welcomed the announcement by Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) of its revised text selection and community standards. Amongst the new guidelines, “Where a text contains subject matter related to contentious political or historical issues” the selection panels will have to consider whether the text invites “exploration of alternative points of view and, if not, will teachers be able to ensure that other perspectives are incorporated during close study?” The changes are a result of a review ordered by Education Minister James Merlino after the ADC raised concerns about the selection of the play Tales of a City by the Sea for the 2016 VCE Drama list.
Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the ADC, issued the following statement:
“I welcome the revised community-standards guidelines that accurately reflect the ADC’s call for reforms in 2016, in particular the requirement that panels will need to consider and take into account whether texts that deal with contentious historical or political matters invite exploration of alternative viewpoints. As we argued last year in drawing attention to the inclusion of Tales of a City by the Sea, one-sided texts that are unabashedly propagandistic, and which do not contain an even-handed perspective, balance and context, should not be chosen for VCE. Such selections, rather than cultivating critical thinking and understanding of complex and thorny subjects, carry the risk of blowing on the embers of divisiveness and turning students against each other. Victorian parents have the reasonable and fair expectation that when sending their children to school they will not be placed in a toxic environment, where they might be isolated or maligned for who they are and as a result of the syllabus, and we hope that the new rules will reduce the likelihood of such unacceptable scenarios taking place.”
The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission, founded in 1979, is Australia’s leading organization fighting racism through educational programs that combat bigotry, prejudice and all forms of hatred.
For further information please contact Dr Dvir Abramovich on 9272 5677.