Dr Sanjana Hattotuwa gives some context about the takeover of the curriculum refresh
By Dr. Sanjana Hattotuwa
Very good reading for those in New Zealand from Bevan Holloway - How a special interest group took over the refresh of the New Zealand curriculum. I had the privilege of reading through this before it went up, & have some thoughts about what's noted.
What Holloway highlights, based off OIA requests, is very concerning. It eerily, and directly maps on to what I've recently highlighted as the far-right's theory of political change, now entrenched in NZ incl. at highest levels of Govt.
I have 5 related points.
Holloway shows how a small group of highly motivated ideologically aligned folk, through the Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG), captured the curriculum refresh. This mirrors the far-right's (long-term) strategy, & desired end state of cultivating a "counter-elite" to support political movements.
The MAG effectively, & strategically bypassed the Ministry of Education's usual processes, and expertise - incredibly wresting control of curriculum writing directly. This echoes the far-right focus on gaining control of bureaucratic positions, & levers of influence, beyond elected offices.
The MAG disregarded the work done over the previous four years on the curriculum refresh, effectively dismantling the existing structure. This aligns with the far-right's interest in challenging existing power structures rather than working within an established liberal-democratic system.
MAG used rhetoric around "science of learning" and explicit teaching methods to shape discourse. This reflects the far-right's strategy of using rhetorical tactics, self-serving narrative farming, and media control to shape public opinion - in a manner favourable to achieve desired end states.
The curriculum refresh takeover represents, as Holloway stresses, a fundamental shift in educational philosophy and practice. It's designed to/will have an intergenerational impact. This mirrors the far-right focus on gradual institutional capture, beyond electoral moments, & term limits of govts.
Holloway's thankless work to trawl through the OIA docs around MAG's work - shaping the attitudes, perceptions, behaviours, & mindsets of NZ's tamariki, & rangatahi - would be really good to feature in some MSM coverage. This work matters.
Related Reading
From Dr. Hattotuwa: Novichok For the Mind