Welcome to the Royal Geographical Society of South Australia

Founded 10th July 1885

National Geography Curriculum

A report on the consultation to have Geography added to the National Curriculum of Australia as a core subject is available at http://www.ngc.org.au/

Geography has been identified as a subject to be included in the second phase of the national curriculum being developed by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA).

Three national geographical associations in Australia recognised the need to consult widely, undertake research and prepare material that can inform the second phase work on the national geography curriculum.

Prepared for the Australian Geography Teachers Association Ltd (AGTA), Royal Geographical Society of Queensland Inc (RGSQ) and the Institute of Australian Geographers Inc (IAG). Other geographical associations in Australia have been included in the consultation process. The comments relate to geography in Australian primary and secondary schools. This report supports a view reported in the Erebus Report (2008) commissioned by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations to undertake a study into the teaching of geography in years 3-10 that:

It is neither equitable nor nationally acceptable that some students are well-prepared to understand the world around them and the forces that have, and will continue to shape this world, while others are not. Both the curriculum and school practice should facilitate the students'
cumulative understanding of geographical concepts and their development of geographic skills at increasing levels of complexity and in different contexts. All Australian students should have these opportunities, not just the lucky few. (Erebus International, 2008, p. 7)