The Queensland Government has released the independent panel report into the incorrect teaching of an Ancient History topic to Year 12 students at nine Queensland schools in 2025.
The Investigation into the 2025 teaching of the incorrect Ancient History topic in nine Queensland High Schools Panel Report examined how the error occurred and the systems that allowed it to go undetected.
Across Queensland, 173 schools offer Ancient History as a general subject. The error affected seven state schools and two non-state schools, impacting around 140 students. Despite the issue, all students involved achieved a pass grade of C or above, with more than 40 per cent receiving an A grade.
The panel, led by Dr Grant Webb, identified two key contributing factors. The first was localised school communication and handover processes, with the panel finding no single point of failure but rather a combination of factors that increased risk. The second related to limitations in the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority’s (QCAA) communications, including the need for more timely and comprehensive messaging around critical changes, as well as the introduction of a validation or registration process for syllabus changes.
In response, the Queensland Government moved to overhaul the QCAA board ahead of the report’s findings, appointing additional expertise in educational leadership, governance and communication.
Minister for Education and the Arts John-Paul Langbroek said the incident was unacceptable and caused significant 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.
He has instructed the QCAA, the Non-State School Accreditation Board, the Queensland Catholic Education Commission and the Department of Education to act on the report’s findings.
“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,” he said.
Minister Langbroek has also requested written advice on next steps to ensure strong risk-mitigation protocols are in place well ahead of the 2026 external examinations.
The report found that student welfare was prioritised throughout the incident, describing the support provided to staff and students as “second to none”. Schools submitted Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments – Illness and Misadventure forms for all affected students, with results reviewed by an expert committee that included independent statisticians.
Minister Langbroek thanked Dr Webb, the panel and participants involved in the 27 consultation sessions conducted during the investigation.
A copy of the report is available on the Department of Education website.
