This came as quite a surprise to me - many aboriginal children in remote communities cannot speak english. There is even opposition to making learning English compulsory in school. That's just crazy. How are we meant to lift these children out of poverty and ill health if they cannot get a job or communicate with a doctor? The people who oppose teaching english are not doing these children any favours.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Mixed-response-to-compulsory-English/2007/05/25/1179601651445.html

A plan to make English compulsory for Aboriginal children has been met with a mixed reaction, and raised concerns the federal government is not properly resourcing indigenous education.

Mr Brough said the plan was backed by grandparents in indigenous communities who wanted their young people to have the same opportunities as white children.

He also raised the possibility of welfare payments being linked to school attendance, an idea supported by the Northern Territory government.

Prominent Aboriginal activist Sam Watson on Friday said the plan was "pure racism" and dismissed it as a political stunt.

However, former ALP national president and Labor candidate Warren Mundine has thrown his weight behind the plan, but said Mr Brough now had to show he could put the plan into action.

Mr Mundine said Aboriginal children were not currently being given any incentive to learn, and that traditional languages and cultural activities should be taught alongside English, maths and science.

"Learning about their culture gives them self esteem and that makes people want to get educated," he said.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown said indigenous languages were in danger of dying out.

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Thats,right-- but  they thrive better in Indigenous schools..its a fact..white mans schools are inherently racist..a subliminal thing if you like and thats quite apart from the overt rascism these kids are subject too, from white kids and teachers, yes teachers..if they taught Aboriginal Culture and history in schools it would go a long way too educating teachers about what makes Abriginal pple tick.

Kid cannot learn in what they perceive to be a hostile environment..and that is completely understandable,this is why they have such a hard time keeping Ind kids at school.Would you fiorce your kids to go to school each day to be subject to ridicule for something they cant help?I doubt it. They love to be taught by their own pple and they do very well, the retention rates are exemplary and the enthusiasm is inspiring.

The education system should go with what works best for Indigenous kids instead of trying break theyre spirit..and force them to accept rascim from theyre peers .This creates loss of humanity...for that is what sustained rascism does to pple.


bit long winded..sorry.

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Aus Nat says..
"They do."
"

Yes up to a point..but a very homogenised version Aus nat....the really ugly stuff is hidden--unpaleatable to say the least.

Until the Government decides it has to introduce the facts of invasion into the school curriculum , and the impact it has had on them,then society simply wont understand where Ind. pple are coming from.

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I too agree with this..it IS time to move on..dwelling on the past cant be good for anyone can it?

A shame some common ground cant be found for this to occur!

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You really are a Nationalist arent you Aus Nat? not that I ever doubted it mind!A lovely sentiment and something to strive for...sharing our nation as one.

OCeans that crashes my PC when you do that with links. You are clicking on the ftp button, second from left, instead of the URL button which is on the far left at the top.

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Sure am!

Miss Anne Dryst wrote on Nov 26^th, 2010 at 5:30pm:


Google is your friend