Indigenous
education
Indigenous
people have their own language and culture, so schools should consider
indigenous education as well. Education researchers are now calling for a
schooling system which focuses on what they value to help them learn. Furthermore,
the education system has too narrow a focus on measuring learning success. It
will always show a gap between indigenous and non-indigenous communities if we
measure success under NAPLAN results, as it relies on the understanding of
western logic, reason and English language literacy. Schools might consider a
schooling which these children will be taught in their own languages and about
their own culture, but still improving English literacy and numeracy simultaneously
to prepare for university entry.
We
know that indigenous people were the ones who first came to Australia and had
lived for more than 40,000 years. They have their own culture which is
different from ours, so we should show some respect to these people, to their
culture. In the North and the Centre of Australia, indigenous people still
speak traditional languages as their first language, especially in very remote
regions. (Ford, 2012) So in the areas
where lots of indigenous people live, it would be a good idea to have such a
schooling system that I mentioned above. They could learn their languages as
well as Standard English, literacy and numeracy skills. The traditional culture
is reserved and the skills that allow these people to involve to the mainstream
are also learnt and applied. However, it would be a waste of resources if there
are only few indigenous people in the school for some areas, but it doesn’t
mean that these people should be neglected; schools should provide some extra
help for these indigenous students. Greg (2012) indicated that “…it
is also critical of Indigenous people for receiving additional support in
comparison with other ‘Aussie battlers’”. Additional support could narrow the
gap in language, literacy and numeracy differences and let them know that they
are not isolated; indigenous culture is as much valuable as Australian
mainstream culture.
I
have some ideas about how to support indigenous students in school. Firstly,
schools may provide the training services for improving language skills or peer coaching activities such as homework club for
these students to ensure that they have the same level as non-indigenous
students. Secondly, schools may arrange the participation of indigenous parents
for students’ decision making, say, the higher education entry. The arrangement
makes parents know more about their children, about what they want to do in the
future. Regular meeting would be a good opportunity for discussing these issues between the school and indigenous parents. Thirdly, schools may increase the number of indigenous people employed
as teachers, year advisers or other educational positions. These people
obviously can understand the feelings of indigenous students and know what they
really need, and hopefully are more willing to help these students as they have
the same cultural background. Students would feel warm and the communication
would be smoother.
All
we can do is to help indigenous students reduce the difference with “Aussie
battlers”. Schools should consider indigenous culture while making the
strategies for these students. Additional help is also definitely needed
whatever the school is as long as there are indigenous students in the school.
Reference:
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/breaking-news/schools-should-consider-aboriginal-culture/story-fnihsfrf-1226722232796
Hi Yuling,
ReplyDeleteGreat entry. I really enjoyed the third paragraph where you explored some strategies in which the Australian education system can focus on to prevent the educational outcome of Indigenous Australians. They were exceptionally similar to the targets of the 'Closing the Gap' Government initiative, as well as the numerous policies and programs in place surrounding this initiative. I am assuming you have taken these ideas from the government and non government programs and policies in place, if not then awesome ideas because through researching these initiatives programs and policies myself, what you have listed in almost spot on!
I would however have to disagree with the section in which you have stated that the NAPLAN test only accommodates to a more westernised logic therefore this is the reason for the evident gap between Indigenous and non Indigenous results. SBS World News recently did a segment on Indigenous education titled 'Appalling Conditions in Indigenous Schools'. The story featured on October 1st focusing on a recent visit made by the NSW Education Minister, Adrian Piccoli, to Walgett High. Mr Picolli revealed that he was absolutely appalled not only with the physical state of the school, but with the way in which the school operates in regards academic outcome for the students. He made a general statement outlining that he believes school such as Walgett High are "not setting high enough standards and expectations for their students, offering them a limited curriculum with little scope for excursions to other parts of the state". From this research I drew the conclusion that the issue in regards 'the gap' between academic outcome for Indigenous and non Indigenous students has partly to do with the standards in which they are being set as well as a number of other influences such as the Australian historical landscape and the individuals Socio-economic status. (Transcript for SBS World News article titled: 'Appalling Conditions in Indigenous Schools' available athttp://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2013/10/01/appalling-conditions-indigenous-schools)
Hi Caitlin,
DeleteThanks for you comment! I didn't searched any government or non-government programs and policies. I just extended the ideas that I discussed with the classmates in the tutorial but I didn't realise that the ideas that I listed coincide with the policies. Anyway, thanks for pointing out this.
Hi Yuling,
ReplyDeleteI was interest in your ideas of how to support indigenous student in school and I couldn’t agree more with your points about school should arrange the participation of indigenous parents for students’ decision making. Parent’s engagement is a key to success in education. As Black proposed, “Parental engagement in school is associated with better student achievement and retention and greater take-up of further and higher education. Its effect is particularly strong in disadvantaged communities.”(Black, 2008) Many indigenous parents didn’t involve in their children’s education due to many reasons such as long working hours, poverty to participate in activities of the school and lack of confident because of their education levels. Schools should encourage and enable parent to support their children’s education, providing opportunities for parents to be involved in school activities.
For your opinion about we shouldn’t measure success under the NAPLAN results because NAPLAN test based on more westernised logic and English literacy. However, I would have different opinion. As Ford suggests, “NAPLAN tests are culturally inappropriate and not in indigenous languages have been accepted arguments for poor results for many years. But dismiss test results on this basis can serve government departments with excuses rather than action.” NAPLAN test cannot be the only measurement of student’s achievement. However, we should not dismiss the NAPLAN results based on the difference of the cultural content. There more issues need to be concerned and the difference of culture just one of the issues behind the indigenous education.
Reference:
Black, R &Morgan, S. (2008) Networks for Students. In: Black, R &Morgan, S. Beyond the Classroom: Building New School Networks. (pp. 33-51)Camberwell, Vic.
Margot, F. (2013). Achievement gaps in Australia: what NAPLAN reveals about education inequality in Australia, Race Ethnicity and Education, 16(1), 80-102.