Asia Education Foundation

AEF response to the national History curriculum framing paper

cover image: AEF response to national curriculum framing paper for History

Early in 2009, the then National Curriculum Board invited comment about the proposed shape of the emerging national curriculum in Australia. Here you can read the AEF responses to the proposed framing paper for History. These responses may also stimulate schools to discuss and evaluate local curriculum content.


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Asia literacy in History

‘Asia literacy’ in history refers to two kinds of outcomes:

  • Developing knowledge of historical development, people, events and themes in some Asian nations, in the region generally, and in relation to the historical development of Australia.
  • Development of the kinds of skills and understanding involved in studying the history of places, people and events in Asia associated with diverse cultural values, life experiences and political and social systems from one’s own.

‘Asia literacy’ in History will involve young people gaining knowledge, skills and understandings including:

  • a reasonably detailed knowledge of the history of more than one Asian nation, to enable students to understand the diversity of Asia;
  • an understanding of some key Asian contributions to economic, political, social, cultural and spiritual matters;
  • an understanding of the history of Asian contact with, influence on, immigration to and importance to Australia and in particular of the role of Australians of Asian heritage;
  • skills in interpreting historical evidence across cultures; and
  • skills in articulating an historical account of events, people and themes encompassing different cultures and places.

If these outcomes are to be achieved, the national history curriculum should address as a minimum:

  • the economic, political, social, cultural and religious history of some Asian nations and those historical developments that have led to contemporary political and social arrangements;
  • European voyages of discovery in the Asia-Pacific and subsequent colonization and resistance;
  • major events and themes involving Asia and Australia, including World War 2 and the development of Asian regional associations involving Australia;
  • key factors and events affecting Asian contacts with and migration to Australia and the influence on this nation of Asians and Australians of Asian background.