ACARA | Oversight of curriculum-linked materials and programs

Question

Senator HODGINS-MAY: Does ACARA have a policy regarding engagement with or oversight of industry-produced educational materials used in Australian schools? Mr Gniel: No. Senator HODGINS-MAY: No policy? Mr Gniel: No. Senator HODGINS-MAY: Is there any specific guidance regarding curriculum-linked materials, programs, incursions, competitions or resources that are produced by fossil fuel companies or industry funded organisations? Mr Gniel: No. ACARA's remit doesn't extend into those commercial products or resources that way. Our responsibility is the setting of the national curriculum, the content and achievement standards. We don't have a role- Senator HODGINS-MAY: Who oversees that, then? Mr Gniel: It probably again depends a bit on the specifics of what you're asking, but we don't have a role in the oversight of general classroom resources. We work with some providers that will look to us about alignment with the Australian Curriculum to check in about whether they're staying true to what the Australian Curriculum is saying. But I think one of the challenges we have is that there is a plethora of resources at the school level for teachers to look at. Certainly our advice is making sure that it's delivery of the Australian Curriculum, which has been approved by all ministers, but we don't have a role in regulation or anything like that of resources. Senator HODGINS-MAY: I've had individuals approach me about this. One explained an example of a Vegemite sandwich and a fossil fuel company being in there using a Vegemite sandwich with a straw in it to show how oil extraction works. They're actually in our schools; they're getting our kids in hi-vis. I'm just curious about what oversight there is. It sounds like there's none federally. Just to make sure I get this right, ACARA has never reviewed or assessed any fossil fuel industry produced educational resources used in Australian schools? Mr Gniel: No, not that I'm aware of. I can go back through the archives side of it. In the time I've been there, no, we haven't done any of that. Senator HODGINS-MAY: Yes, please do that. If you find anything, please return it on notice. Mr Gniel: Yes, I'm happy to take that on notice. Senator HODGINS-MAY: Have you received complaints about this? Mr Gniel: No. Senator HODGINS-MAY: No complaints? Mr Gniel: Again, no, not that I'm aware of. I'm happy to check. Senator HODGINS-MAY: Yes, if you could check that and maybe, over the past five years, any concerns regarding fossil fuel industry influence in schools, including through curriculum-linked resources or programs.

Answer

Please see the attached PDF.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• SQ26-000683.pdf (opens in a new tab)