Curriculum in Australian Islamic Schools: Trends & Future Prospects

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Ralph Mervyn Barker
6 years ago
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2 Agenda 1. Snapshot of Islamic Schools in Australia 2. Curriculum Approaches of Islamic Schools in Australia 3. Curriculum opportunities 4. Curriculum Challenges

3 1. SNAP SHOT OF ISLAMIC SCHOOLS IN AUSTRALIA

Independent Schools in Australia Independent

Affiliations of Independent schools in Australia 2017 85% Affiliated to

7 ISLAMIC SCHOOLS IN AUSTRALIA AFFILIATION No of Schools FTE Student % Anglican % Non-Denominational % Christian Schools % Uniting Church in Australia % Catholic % Lutheran % Islamic % Baptist % Inter-Denominational % Seventh Day Adventist % Presbyterian % Jewish % Steiner Schools % Pentecostal % Assemblies of God % Brethren 9 0.8% Montessori Schools % Greek Orthodox 8 0.6% Other Catholic 8 0.6% Other Orthodox 5 0.3% Other Religious Affiliation %

8 Islamic Schools Vision & Mission Statements

9 Islamic Schools Values

10 Islamic schools Landscape

11 Islamic School Students Ethnically Diverse Socially Diverse Socio Economic Religiously Diverse

12 2. CURRICULUM APPROACHES OF ISLAMIC SCHOOLS IN AUSTRALIA

13 APPROVED CURRICULUM APPROACHES Islamic Schools: Australian Curriculum Victorian Curriculum The International Baccalaureate (IB), Primary Years (PYP) and Middle Years Programs (MYP) Other approved alternative Curriculums: Montessori National Curriculum Framework Australian Steiner Curriculum Framework

14 CURRICULUM PARAMETRS ACARA estimates that the Australian Curriculum will occupy no more than 80% of the 1000 hours considered to constitute a school year.

15 Common Islamic school subjects Quran (memorisation, recitation and understanding) Hifz Streams ( Quran memorisation ) Islamic Studies: FIQH SEERAH AQEEDAH TAFSEER HADITH ADAAB Islamic law and practice Life of the Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. Core beliefs Meanings of Quran verses and understanding context words of the Messenger of Allah and it s meanings Etiquettes ISLAMIC HISTORY Arabic language

16 Islamic Curriculum beyond the classroom Daily Congregational Prayers Weekly Friday sermon and prayers Co curricula activities particularly during the month of Ramadan and Eid Incursions, excursions, overseas trips to Umrah Camps Competitions and quizzes Community work & partnerships Emphasis on values and character building activities

17 3. CURRICULUM OPPORTUNITIES

18 ENTITLEMENT The Australian Curriculum has been designed as an entitlement for all students from Foundation to L10: Australian schools: English History Mathematics Science Health & Physical Education

19 CROSS-CURRICULUM PRIOITIES Relevant and contemporary issues 1. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures 2. Asia and Australian s engagement with Asia 3. Sustainability

20 1. Aboriginal & Torres Straight Islander histories and cultures

22 3. Sustainability

23 GENERAL CAPABILITIES IN THE AUSTRALIAN CURRICLUM Essential 21 st Century Skills Literacy Numeracy ICT capability Critical & creative thinking Ethical understanding Personal & social capability Intercultural understanding VICTORIAN CURRICULM

25 Addressing Essential Skills in Islamic Curriculum Literacy Success in any learning area depends on being able to use the significant, identifiable and distinctive literacy that is important for learning and representative of the content of that learning area. Numeracy a numerate population is critical in ensuring the nation s ongoing prosperity, productivity and workforce participation. ICT To participate in a knowledgebased economy and to be empowered within a technologically sophisticated society now and into the future, students need the knowledge, skills and confidence to make ICT work for them

26 MAKE COMPLIANCE YOUR BEST FRIEND 1. Australian Curriculum is well researched 2. There is no comparable curriculum developed by Muslims 3. Our children are entitled to the Australian Curriculum 4. Content is not dictated and it is not detailed as commonly assumed 5. Fundamental and or philosophical difference can be overcome 6. Activities valuing cultural heritage 7. Sharing the same curriculum creates a platform to work with each other in new ways

27 PROCESS THINKING & UNDERSTANDING Allow the General Capabilities to drive your curriculum in becoming an integrated and holistic curriculum. Develop and internalise an understanding of each of the learning areas by unpacking the :- Rationale Scope and Sequence and Achievement Standards Then Explore and select the Content Descriptors which will drive the curriculum s core skills and knowledge needed to master the areas of concepts and content. Independent Schools Victoria All rights reserved. July2017

28 4. Curriculum Challenges

29 CHALLENGES 1. Complex current narrative of terrorism 2. Recruitment of teachers 3. Resources 4. Student wellbeing Resilience 5. Pedagogical expertise 6. Ensuring a guaranteed and viable curriculum 7. Absence of an Australian Islamic curriculum

30 CRITICAL QUESTIONS FOR ISLAMIC SCHOOL LEADERSHIP 1. What do we expect our students to learn? 2. How will you know if each student has learned? 3. How will you respond when students do not learn? 4. How will you respond when students show proficiency? 5. Where are the connections?

31 SUMMARY Islamic schools are a strong feature of the Independent sector in Australia Islamic schools across Australia are very diverse Islamic schools are achieving great success in all Australian Curriculum capabilities and priorities at the grassroots There is a greater need to develop terms of references to the Australian Curriculum Greater need for Islamic schools to make clear connections between what is relevant in a Muslim student s world and the Islamic tradition whilst remaining accountable to the curriculum

32 FURTHER INFORMATION Principal Advisor Islamic Schools Association of Australia Chair Telephone:

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