This article was originally published at www.norepublic.com.au.

With a curriculum so deficient that it has only been able to ensure 50% of students are aware that we live in a democracy, why are we neglecting the basics - only to explore feel good topics which will likely produce little results?

Recent calls from the Federation of Parents and Citizens Associations for Facebook and Twitter etiquette to be included in the curriculum as a means of combating cyberbullying are perfect examples of the often fruitless content which students are being subjected to.

In all likelihood, the sorts of students who are engaging in cyberbulling will not be deterred by lectures of the nature of 'why it's not nice to throw rocks of the bridges at cars'.

Presently, only ACM is presently focussing on the role of the Crown in our constitutional system of government. Although we have implemented an engaging website and an effective speaking competition in all States, how much more effectively could this basic civics education be taught if it were a priority in our curriculum?

Let's return to the basics - focusing on teaching the 99% of students who's education is suffering to make provision for ridiculous wastes of time.