Petition Review policies and guidance provided to government schools

The petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council that many parents and members of the community believe Victorian government schools should place their primary emphasis on delivering the prescribed curriculum and developing students' knowledge and skills in literacy, numeracy, science, mathematics, history, geography and civics. Classroom time and school resources should remain focused on academic learning and schools should avoid promoting political, ideological or cultural viewpoints beyond what is required by the Victorian Curriculum. Parents should retain the primary responsibility for guiding their children's personal, political, cultural and moral beliefs.

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Council call on the Government to review the policies and guidance provided to government schools to ensure that classroom teaching remains focused on the prescribed Victorian Curriculum, that public education is delivered in a politically impartial manner, and that any activities relating to cultural, political or ideological matters are limited to those expressly required by the approved curriculum or by law.