EDUCATION: SKILLS OR CONTENT?

Very recently, National's Erica Stanford has announced the implementation of Financial Education in the new social sciences curriculum, also a fulfilment of a 2023 Labour promise. For some this is a welcome introduction of a practical subject, but for others it raises again the spectre of financial indoctrination. In this 1 off session Michael will reflect on the over a century old battle between a focus on compulsory content vs. educational skills and on the philosophical issues each approach may have as NZ again updates its curriculum. Michael Couch has been teaching community education courses for over a decade. With an academic background in Philosophy, Classical Studies, Education and History, he recently completed his PhD in the History of Philosophy of Education in New Zealand. He enjoys learning new topics and incorporates passion and wry humour into all his lectures.