Creative Electrics for Juniors: What a Buzz The New Zealand Primary Curriculum

The 1990s have been a time of on-going curriculum reform within New Zealand. In 1991 a new national curriculum was introduced and the publication of The New Zealand Curriculum Framework (Ministry of Education, 1993) gave expression to this educational philosophy by providing a framework for the education of all students from years 1-13 (ages five to seventeen). In this document the principles, essential learning areas, essential skills, attitudes and values are described. The principles are based on the premise that 'all young people in New Zealand have the right to gain, through the state schooling system, a broad, balanced education ' (Ministry of Education, 1993,p.5). The seven essential learning area