Curriculum in Australian Islamic Schools: Trends & Future Prospects

Agenda 1. Snapshot of Islamic Schools in Australia 2. Curriculum Approaches of Islamic Schools in Australia 3. Curriculum opportunities 4. Curriculum Challenges

1. SNAP SHOT OF ISLAMIC SCHOOLS IN AUSTRALIA

ISLAMIC SCHOOLS IN AUSTRALIA AFFILIATION No of Schools FTE Student % Anglican 155 25.5% Non-Denominational 194 13.7% Christian Schools 140 10.9% Uniting Church in Australia 45 8.7% Catholic 55 7.4% Lutheran 85 6.8% Islamic 40 5.4% Baptist 40 3.4% Inter-Denominational 26 2.8% Seventh Day Adventist 46 2.1% Presbyterian 14 1.8% Jewish 18 1.5% Steiner Schools 44 1.4% Pentecostal 15 1.2% Assemblies of God 11 1.0% Brethren 9 0.8% Montessori Schools 36 0.8% Greek Orthodox 8 0.6% Other Catholic 8 0.6% Other Orthodox 5 0.3% Other Religious Affiliation 12 1.0%

Islamic Schools Vision & Mission Statements

Islamic Schools Values

Islamic schools Landscape

Islamic School Students Ethnically Diverse Socially Diverse Socio Economic Religiously Diverse

2. CURRICULUM APPROACHES OF ISLAMIC SCHOOLS IN AUSTRALIA

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

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

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

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

3. CURRICULUM OPPORTUNITIES

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

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

1. Aboriginal & Torres Straight Islander histories and cultures

3. Sustainability

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

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

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

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 2015. All rights reserved. July2017

4. Curriculum Challenges

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

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?

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

FURTHER INFORMATION Principal Advisor Islamic Schools Association of Australia Chair Email:Aynur.Simsirel@is.vic.edu.au Telephone: 0427 158 611