"The friction we're experiencing is the friction of genuine change."

  • Professor Joanna Barbousas,

Professor Joanna Barbousas, the dean of La Trobe University's School of Education, has warned that a fresh cultural conflict is looming over the way Australia's schoolchildren are taught. Barbousas says that decades of conflict in the teaching profession and academia over literacy teaching are over, but that fresh trouble is brewing over the science of learning across all subjects. She believes the teaching profession will need to adapt to new evidence-based methods.

This comes as governments increasingly mandate evidence-based teaching methods for the nation's classrooms, a model that has been championed by advocates of phonics, an explicit learning approach to teaching children how to read. However, a backlash against the evidence-led agenda is mobilising among teachers and academics, with some experts warning that the approach is overly rigid and ignores the importance of contextual learning. Critics argue it's one-size-fits-all nonsense.

Victorian Education Minister Ben Carroll has responded to the growing controversy by reaffirming the state government's commitment to its evidence-based education revolution. Carroll will speak at The Age School Summit in Melbourne, alongside Australian Education Research Organisation chief executive Jenny Donovan. This comes as a result of the state government's push to introduce phonics as a core part of the curriculum.

At the heart of the controversy is a long-standing battle between proponents of phonics and whole language approaches to teaching reading. The phonics approach, which involves breaking down words into their component sounds, has been shown to be effective in improving literacy rates. However, critics argue that the approach can be overly reliant on rote learning and ignores the importance of comprehension and contextual learning.

But as The Age recently reported, a backlash against the evidence-led agenda is gaining momentum among teachers and academics. Barbousas fears that the dispute between opposing views will grow sharper as opposition to the evidence-led agenda becomes more networked and organised. She believes the debate will only intensify, with more teachers and academics speaking out against the approach.

Robert Hattam, an emeritus professor of educational justice at Adelaide University, is among those who have long battled against explicit learning. Hattam has dubbed the approach one-size-fits-all nonsense and has accused proponents of ignoring evidence. He believes that the approach can lead to a lack of creativity and critical thinking in students.

The Age Schools Summit 2026 will take place at the Crown Conference Centre on June 10. The event will provide a platform for experts to discuss the best approaches to teaching and learning in Australia. The summit will feature a number of high-profile speakers, including Victorian Education Minister Ben Carroll and Australian Education Research Organisation chief executive Jenny Donovan.

In a statement, Victorian Education Minister Ben Carroll said: "This is the education revolution we've had to have and this is the voice of reason, backed by science and evidence." Carroll added that the evidence-based approach has been shown to be effective in improving literacy rates and said that it is the only way to lift everyone. However, opponents of the approach remain unconvinced.

The debate over the best way to teach children is set to continue, with Barbousas warning that the friction of genuine change is only the beginning. As the evidence-based agenda continues to face resistance, it remains to be seen what the outcome of this controversy will be. However, one thing is certain: the outcome of this controversy will have far-reaching implications for Australia's education system.

Key Facts

• The controversy over evidence-based teaching in Australia is brewing over the science of learning across all subjects. • The evidence-based agenda has been championed by advocates of phonics, an explicit learning approach to teaching children how to read. • A backlash against the evidence-led agenda is mobilising among teachers and academics. • Victorian Education Minister Ben Carroll has reaffirmed the state government's commitment to its evidence-based education revolution. • The Age Schools Summit 2026 will take place at the Crown Conference Centre on June 10.