WEST Australian Premier Alan Carpenter has taken control from his Education Minister to add substance and remove ideological bent from the state's new-age, outcomes-based schools curriculum. Mr Carpenter has insisted that the new music course require students to learn a musical instrument .. The proposed introduction of 17 courses into Year 11 next year has sparked a teacher mutiny, alarmed parents' organisations, and prompted educators to stand up against what they describe as falling standards. The most controversial element, a music course that does not require students to learn scales or play an instrument, was exposed by The Australian. Course co-ordinator Christine Adams had said "the status of all instruments is equal", including turntables and computers. Asked if he agreed with that view, Mr Carpenter yesterday said he did not. "As part of the discussions we had, I expressed the view that in order to get a satisfactory assessment, a student would be able to play a musical instrument," he said. "It was a very, very constructive meeting." Mr Carpenter said one of his daughters was studying music, and he wanted her to be able to play an instrument.
Good lord .. (choke) .. the elitist fascist - actually expects music students to be able to play an instrument .. an actual, traditional musical instrument ...
Premier acts to stop education rot