New South Wales Consolidated Acts

EDUCATION ACT 1990 - SECT 8

8 Minimum curriculum for primary education

(1) The curriculum for primary school children during Kindergarten to Year 6 must meet the following requirements:

(a) courses of study in each of the 6 key learning areas for primary education are to be provided for each child during each Year,

(b) courses of study relating to Australia are to be included in the key learning area of Human Society and its Environment,

(c) courses of study in both Art and Music are to be included in the key learning area of Creative and Practical Arts,

(d) courses of study in a key learning area are to be appropriate for the children concerned having regard to their level of achievement and needs,

(e) courses of study in a key learning area are to be provided in accordance with any relevant guidelines developed by the Board and approved by the Minister,

(f) courses of study in a key learning area are to be based on, and taught in accordance with, a syllabus developed or endorsed by the Board and approved by the Minister.

(2) The requirements of this section constitute the minimum curriculum for schools providing primary education.

(3) If requested to do so by the proprietor of a non-government school (or, in the case of a school that is a member of a system of non-government schools, the approved authority for the system), the Board may approve such modifications to the syllabus referred to in subsection (1) (f) as it considers necessary to enable any part of a course of study in a key learning area that appears to the Board to be incompatible with the educational philosophy or religious outlook of the school to be based on, and taught compatibly with, that educational philosophy or religious outlook. The part of the course of study at that school is to be based on and taught in accordance with the syllabus as modified.

(4) Any modification approved under subsection (3) must be consistent with the guidelines referred to in subsection (1) (e).