Education ministers from across Australia have agreed to the most significant shake-up of the country's school system in years, targeting declining academic results, student wellbeing, and rising concerns over social cohesion.
The package includes a strong focus on student values and safety. Endorsing recommendations from David Gonski's antisemitism education taskforce, ministers confirmed that new national curriculum resources teaching students about the "evils of antisemitism and the horrors of the Holocaust" will roll out next year. Additionally, officials are weighing mandatory civics and citizenship lessons for years nine and 10.
Amid a growing backlash against excessive screen time, the government is also establishing an Australian Schools Digital Detox Taskforce to restrict classroom screen use and artificial intelligence. In tandem with a new primary math curriculum introducing financial literacy early to combat numeracy gaps, the reforms mark a concerted effort by federal and state leaders to reset Australian education over the coming years.
