Bendigo students believe their voice should be heard when it comes to their education.
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The potential of Victorian year 12 students having input on what texts are in the curriculum or potentially having representation on the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority was raised with Minister for Education James Merlino last year.
Catherine McAuley College year 12 student Henry Bombardieri said many of the texts should be updated.
"As society is constantly changing in this day and age, students should be given more and more opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings when it comes to their education," Henry said.
Henry's classmate Will Tobin said as society becomes more innovative, students should have more of a say about the work they complete.
"I understand that providing texts that accommodate to all students is a very difficult task," he said. "(But) I feel as though steps are being taken in the right direction to allow students to fully express themselves in ways they couldn’t (before)."
Minister for Education James Merlino said the ideas for students being involved with curriculum decisions and having representation on the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority had been raised with him last year.
“These ideas were raised with me when I attended the VICSRC congress last year. I thought these were great ideas. I am always looking for ways to strengthen student voice,” he said.
“That’s why I asked the VCAA to look at options to implement these changes and how we could make it work.
“If we want to get the best out of our students - we need to listen to them.”
Catherine McAuley College learning and teaching director Matt Angove said the education sector has been wrestling with the challenge of how to have students more involved in curriculum design.
"The rationale behind this shift is the belief that students are more likely to be engaged in curriculum they co-construct," he said.
"The sentiment is good, however, care must be taken to ensure feedback is sought from a range of students.
"If feedback only comes from the loudest or most articulate students we could end up with a curriculum that caters only for those students."
Bendigo Senior Secondary College principal Dale Pearce said he agreed with the idea of students or immediate-past students on decisions about VCE texts on the curriculum.
"Their perspectives are valuable," he said. "Research shows students are more engaged if they have more of a say in what happens at schools. Those students are healthier, happier and succeed at a higher level. For me that is a key driver."
Mr Pearce was the question of having students more broadly through the VCAA was more challenging.
"In my view (representation on the VCAA) is not suited to a current student due to the time commitment involved," he said. "Immediate-past students may have the time (to commit)."
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