Ministers agree on antisemitism curriculum to stamp out 'noxious' racism

Education ministers from around Australia met this week and agreed to a series of reforms to address antisemitism, poor performance and record low civics scores

Ministers also agreed to a new federal super commission to better support classroom teachers with the latest evidence-based practices.

The reforms are in response to Australia recording its lowest ever scores in international tests and persistently poor NAPLAN testing.

Australian students will learn about the "evils of antisemitism and the horrors of the Holocaust" from next year as part of new national curriculum resources developed in the wake of the Bondi attack.

Education ministers have endorsed the new resources designed by David Gonski's antisemitism education taskforce. They include more lessons about Jewish history and the contributions of Jewish Australians.

"These changes are important but there is always more we can do to stamp out racism in all its noxious forms," said Education Minister Jason Clare.

"The Social Cohesion Education Advisory Council, to be chaired by David Gonski AC, will progress further work to strengthen social cohesion through education."

Ministers are also considering making civics and citizenship lessons mandatory in years nine and 10.

Australian students recently recorded their worst-ever civics scores, with 72 per cent not understanding the basics of democracy.

"Schools don't just teach numeracy, literacy and critical thinking skills. They also build character," said Education Minister Jason Clare

"We have to make sure our students are learning about our democracy and Australian values."

As ministers move to tackle 20 years of declining school results, they have agreed to establish an Australian Schools Digital Detox Taskforce as a backlash grows against screen time and education technology.

Ministers have already agreed to return year five NAPLAN writing tests to paper and will now survey parents, students and teachers as they consider further reforms.

"Today we're announcing the next stage of reforms to help our kids learn and to support our teachers. A digital detox in schools restricting screen time and the use of AI," said Mr Clare.

The reform comes as experts condemned Google over reports it plans to ban schools from using its search engine if they block the company's AI features.

"Schools should be able to limit generative AI when students need to do the thinking themselves," said Swinburne University AI expert Dr Atie Kia.

"They should not have to lose Google Search to make that choice."

Education ministers have also agreed to a new national maths curriculum for the first three years of primary school as they battle NAPLAN scores showing one in three students not meeting minimum expectations in numeracy.

As part of the new curriculum, students will also be introduced to financial literacy.

"[We're] strengthening the way we teach maths to the youngest students so they get this essential life skill," said Mr Clare.

Ministers also agreed to establish a new Teaching and Learning Commission that will merge four existing education bodies.

The commission will be responsible for the national curriculum, teacher standards, national testing and research on evidence-based teaching.

"This will make it easier and simpler for teachers and schools to get the information, resources and support they need," said Mr Clare.

The existing Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL), Australian Education Research Organisation (AER0) and Education Services Australia (ESA) will be brought together to form the new commission.