School students in NSW are to learn from the highest quality Aboriginal languages syllabus in the country with the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) releasing a new syllabus.
Announced by the Minister for Education and Early Learning, Sarah Mitchell, NSW is home to more than 35 Aboriginal Language groups and more than 100 dialects of those languages.
“This is the first major redevelopment of how Aboriginal languages are taught in our schools in 20 years,” Ms Mitchell said.
“The new syllabus gives students valuable opportunities to learn the language of their local area and develop an understanding of Aboriginal languages and cultures,” she said.
“For the first time students who speak an Aboriginal Language or Torres Strait Islander Language at home will be able to progress the study of that language at school.”
Ms Mitchell said the new Aboriginal Languages Kindergarten to Year 10 syllabus included guidance for schools on involving Aboriginal communities and knowledge holders when introducing and teaching the syllabus – which research showed was vital to the sustainability of Aboriginal Languages programs.
She said this would provide Aboriginal communities with greater flexibility around how their languages were taught.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Ben Franklin said Aboriginal students had a right to learn their own language in school.
“Creating more opportunities for Aboriginal students to communicate in an Aboriginal language not only strengthens their connections to country, culture and their identity but it promotes the importance of language revitalisation and the continuation of learning,” Mr Franklin said.
“Empowering young Aboriginal people to maintain a strong sense of identity, belonging and culture and learn more about Aboriginal languages is also hugely beneficial to their overall educational and social outcomes.”
He said the syllabus was developed following extensive consultation with Aboriginal communities and education stakeholders, and included guidance on how to involve Aboriginal communities when introducing and teaching the syllabus in schools.
President of NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) Inc, Catherine Trindall said AECG was pleased to support the launch of the co-designed syllabus.
“I encourage everyone to take this opportunity to learn the first languages of Australia and to engage with and form positive working relationships with our local and regional AECGs,” Ms Trindall said.
