Yes, the back to basics is a good move, as is the reintroduction of phonetics.
Literacy is an indispensable tool, that then helps the student to learn all other skills, not the least of which is critical thinking.
But introducing that emphasis, too early is a cart before the horse approach.
It may sound trite, but they need to learn those things, (reading skills) that then enable all other learning.
Which must also include primary school science and higher maths as compulsory subjects!
Rhrosty.

As an ex-High School teacher and College Lecturer, I find the following goal from the Report troubling.

"Morals, values and spirituality – including stronger recognition of Australia's Judaeo/Christian heritage – should be more strongly acknowledged in curriculum content."

Currently, our heritage, which is based upon theological fairy tales and inane gobbledegook, is clashing with the world Islamic heritage which is also based upon theological fairy tales and inane gobbledegook.

If educationists want to churn out intelligent, rational students, why are we still insisting upon pushing the fantasies and lies of religion into impressionable, gullible minds?

It's time for the adults among us to grow up and empty our minds of the divisive nonsense which is religion.

Religion should not be taught unless its promoters can provide scientific evidence to support their ridiculous, fanciful claims.

yep David G obviously prefers his order from chaos fantasy and that there are no absolutes. The progressives are then dumb enough to want to know why relationships break down quickly, teens top themselves at an ever increasing rate and no one can tell them taking drugs is dumb because their are no absolutes. I would suggest that High school teachers who have contributed to the mess we have now be ignored as they have not faced up to their failures.

David G, you have hit the nail on the head. Our friend Runner does not know what he is talking about so we must ignore comments from his ilk.
There are already too many Mickey Mouse subjects crowding out our childrens' minds without adding all the religious claptrap.

If children are to be encouraged to understand how things really work, an introduction to the Periodic Table of the Elements at a reasonably early age would go a long way to raising their curiosity. Even Runner could understand that.

David

David G and t'other David

"theological fairy tales and inane gobbledegook"

You are just as guilty of theological fairy tales and inane gobbledegook, it's just that your religion is the worship of the State.

Jardine, like many on this forum, you are given to making sweeping statements that vary from absurd to infantile.

You know nothing about me, or anything very much, so to accuse me of worshiping the State is simply ridiculous. I spend much of my time attacking the current Government and its foolish leader.

Like other know-it-alls here, you reduce the level of discussion to the LCD (that means Lowest Common Denominator) and spoil the debate for everyone.