Church calls for a return to strong classroom discipline

Christian Democratic Party candidate Mr Andrew Church said he will move for radical changes to state education if elected in the Gosford by-election.

"What is needed in state education is not necessarily more money but a total rewrite of the curriculum and a strong new discipline policy," Mr Church said.

"Of course, the Christian Democratic Party does not want to see any of our students being taught in damp and non-air-conditioned class rooms," he said.

"However, despite all the money spent on education in the last 30 years, we hear report after report telling us that our education standards are slipping behind the rest of the developed world.

"And I do not blame the teachers," Mr Church said.

"I will move in Parliament for the establishment of a new conservative panel of state education experts to completely revise the NSW Education Curriculum."

Mr Church said this review would take into account the Federal Government's National Curriculum.

"The panel will aim to toughen up the curriculum as well as include again major strands of Australian History and the history of cultures from which our society came," Mr Church continued.

"I will also move to have the NSW Department of Education set up new and higher standards of discipline.

"This may require parents to sign a contract at the start of both primary and secondary education.

"Each year, parents will be handed a copy of the school curriculum so there are never any curriculum items kept from the parents."

Mr Church said his party would move to have the department impose regulations that require lots of little bits of discipline to be done well.

"The classic example was when a mayor of New York insisted the police fine minor crimes like jay walking and littering.

"Major crime then plummeted.

"We can do something similar in NSW state schools," Mr Church said.

"Bullying has always been an issue in schools.

"It is in human nature unfortunately.

"Principals, deputy principals, head teachers of subject departments, head teachers welfare and school counsellors have always done brilliant jobs in stamping out bullying behaviours in schools and we do thank those staff members.

"This does of course highlight the absurdity of introducing the so called Safe Schools Curriculum."

Mr Church said his party supported the teachers who just wanted to teach.

"We support teachers who love to inspire students to learn and to excel.

"We believe that teachers are not meant to spend over half the class time trying to impose order and a quiet learning environment.

"Again, this may require the return at a state level to graded classes.

"There is no doubt that competition breeds success.

"Just ask any Olympic competitor," Mr Church said.

SOURCE:

Media release, 24 Mar 2017

Andrew Church, Christian Democratic Party