To be, or not to be? Draft English curriculum proposes compulsory Shakespeare for seniors

The draft Year 7-13 English curriculum proposes compulsory Shakespeare for senior secondary school students and spelling and keyboard lessons for children at intermediate schools, with a list of suggested texts including works by Winston Churchill and Percy Shelley. Controversial due to its lack of reference to Te Mātaiaho and concerns over its Eurocentric focus, the draft emphasizes foundational skills and exposure to diverse texts at different year levels, but has faced criticism for its exclusion of New Zealand literature and alignment with other curriculums. Teachers have expressed mixed reactions to the draft, questioning the necessity of Shakespeare and 19th century authors, and highlighting the need for clarity and alignment across curriculum areas.

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