- The Crisafulli Government has published the Investigation into the 2025 teaching of the incorrect Ancient History topic in nine Queensland High Schools Panel Report.
- Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA), the Non-State School Accreditation Board (NSSAB), Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC) and the Department of Education have been instructed to act on the findings.
- The Crisafulli Government took immediate action to investigate the cause of the incident and overhauled the QCAA Board ahead of the findings of the report.
- Every student involved achieved a pass (C or above), and more than 40 percent received an A grade.
The Crisafulli Government has published the independent panel report investigating how the incorrect Ancient History content was taught to Year 12 students at nine schools.
Across Queensland, 173 schools offer Ancient History as a general subject and seven state schools and two non-state schools were affected by the error, which impacted about 140 students.
Every student involved achieved a pass (C or above), and more than 40 percent received an A grade.
The panel, led by Dr Grant Webb, identified two main contributing factors:
- Localised school communication and handover processes. The panel found there was no common point of failure at the schools, but a combination of factors that increased risk.
- Limitations in Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority's (QCAA) communications, including the need for more timely and comprehensive messaging for critical changes, and the implementation of a validation or registration process for syllabus changes.
As a result of the error, the Crisafulli Government delivered fresh changes to the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority Board, which is now stronger with additional expertise in educational leadership, governance and communication.
Minister for Education John-Paul Langbroek has also instructed the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA), Non-State School Accreditation Board (NSSAB), Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC) and the Department of Education to act on the findings of the report.
Minister for Education John-Paul Langbroek said the incident was completely unacceptable and caused immense stress for students, parents and teachers.
"We promised Queenslanders we would act quickly and investigate the circumstances leading up to this incident, and we have held people to account with fresh changes to the QCAA Board which was in desperate need of renewal," Minister Langbroek said. "I have given a direction to the QCAA, NSSAB, QCEC and my department to ensure lessons are learned from this unacceptable error, to ensure history never repeats itself.
"I have requested written advice be provided on the next steps to ensure that strong risk mitigation protocols are in place well in advance of the 2026 external examinations.
"At all times, the welfare of the impacted students was our highest priority, and the report found the support provided to both staff and students was "second to none". "I thank Dr Webb and the panel for their report, and those involved in the 27 consultation sessions conducted as part of the investigation."
Schools submitted Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments – Illness and Misadventure forms for all students involved. Results were reviewed by an expert committee which included independent statisticians.
A copy of the report is available on the Department of Education website .
