Is history a school subject in crisis? New research shows it isn’t, at least not yet
There are fewer students continuing to study history in Year 12 than ever before. But that doesn’t mean they don’t value it.
In recent decades, history educators worldwide have expressed concerns over the decline in history enrolments in schools and universities. Some countries, such as the United Kingdom and United States, have even described history as being "in crisis." This article examines the reality of senior history enrolments in Australian high schools and whether it should be considered a cause for concern.
The study, published in the Journal of Curriculum Studies, analyzed Year 12 enrolments in modern and ancient history from 2009 to 2024. The research found a gradual decline in senior secondary history enrolments, with the proportion of overall Year 12 students studying history dropping to 14.7% by 2024. However, the authors caution that this downward trend shouldn't immediately be labeled a crisis, as it may still be in its early stages.
When looking at trends across states and territories, there are notable differences. For example, modern history enrolments in Queensland have only declined by 1% since 2009, while ancient history enrolments have dropped by almost a third. In contrast, Victoria has seen a doubling of ancient history enrolments since the subject was introduced in 2016. These varying trends highlight the need for further investigation into the reasons behind the differences.
Despite the overall decline in history enrolments, many students still value the subject. A 2024 survey of students from years 10, 11, and 12 across Australia found that 80% considered future study and career plans important in their decision to discontinue history. However, about 63% of students who chose to study history saw little connection between the subject and future employability but still pursued it.
Policy factors, such as the Job-Ready Graduates scheme, also play a role in the devaluation of humanities degrees and may influence students' decisions to prioritize STEM subjects over humanities. To address the downward trend, educators and government agencies must bridge the gap between students' perceived value of history and its relevance to their lives beyond school.
Developing curriculum and learning experiences that allow students to apply their critical thinking skills and historical knowledge to understand the present world and navigate uncertain futures is crucial for sustaining the subject's relevance.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
