A reply to George Bowen
George Bowen’s views on the necessity of teaching New Zealand history and
his warning that without prescribed topics New Zealand history could be
‘lost’ at secondary level, while commendably impassioned, reflect only one
side of this debate.
Other teachers are worried that with a ‘tight’ reading of ’significance to
New Zealand(ers)’ that certain popular topics will no longer be options
and/or that for every topic taught they will have to go through the
motions of outlining the (often indirect) connection between, for
instance, ‘The Russian Revolution’, and New Zealand (ers).
A tight reading will potentially eliminate a range of topics that teachers
and, more importantly, STUDENTS find interesting and PRESCRIBE New Zealand
topics.
A loose reading ALLOWS teachers to teach New Zealand topics IF THEY WISH,
while also allowing others to develop or continue to teach a full range of
fascinating topics that are of significance because New Zealanders are
human too!!!
If, as Bowen et al. contends, New Zealand history/topics are so essential
for today’s history students, then with a loose reading of the key phrase,
many, if not all history teachers will be able to pack their courses with
New Zealand-rich content. What is he so worried about? The answer of
course is the key weakness of his contention.
I am concerned that my position, outlined above, is being written off as
the last vestige of older, conservative history teachers, who don’t
realise the ‘changes’ that are occurring in the study and teaching of
history. I am 37, have a first class honours Masters degree AND I teach
New Zealand’s Search for Security AND the New Zealand option at Level 3.
I’m sure, like many other history teachers, that we are tired of being
patronised by those in no position to do so.
A loose reading of ’significance to New Zealanders’ is the FAIREST
approach given the differing opinions on the necessity of teaching New
Zealand topics. A tight reading means that a considerable body of teachers
AND students suffer (and I do genuinely mean SUFFER).
Adrian McCormack
Glendowie College
