THOUSANDS of Australians have been wearing “Close the Camps” T-shirts in a show of support and solidarity with asylum seekers. In the coming weeks, they’ll be joined by up to 500 members of “Teachers for Refugees”, who want to see offshore detention facilities closed.
For those whose office is the classroom this simple act of protest becomes all the more meaningful … and all the more controversial.
There are reports that in addition to wearing these T-shirts in the classroom, Victorian teachers intend to hold “informal discussions” with students about Australia’s treatment of refugees.
The Victorian Opposition says it’s “political indoctrination” for teachers to openly declare and promote their personal stance on a highly politicised. The Education Union is backing its members’ campaign against the alleged human rights abuses being perpetrated in Australia’s name.
It’s an issue where there are almost too many “other hands” to count.
Should teachers be expected to keep their personal political views private? Where is the line between teaching students how to think critically about issues and teaching them what to think? How should teachers be expected to handle an increasingly polarised political climate? Is there a point when an issue become too political to be taught in schools and, if so, where is that point?
I’m personally sympathetic to the political views of these education activists. Reports about the conditions on Nauru and Manus Island and the harms being perpetrated in Australia’s name are deeply distressing.
Like so many Australians, I find myself most affected by stories about children who are growing up in these detention facilities. I can only imagine that teachers — who spend their days working with children of the same age — feel and understand the ramifications of this issue even more acutely.
And yet, I know I’d be alarmed if the issues teachers were campaigning on weren’t aligned with my own political views.
Entire Article Here
Tricky Question isn't it?
I'd like to think that Teachers in Australian schools are focussed on teaching primary school children the basics of Reading Writing and Arithmetic, at least, instead of their personal politics.
Australian children seem so be slipping down in global educational levels.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-30/australia-declines-in-global-education-report/8077474
Australia is losing to Kazakhstan in the latest global education report card.
Key points:
- Australia plunging down the international leaderboard for Year 4 and Year 8 results
- Simon Birmingham says pumping more money into schools is not the answer
- Labor's education spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek agrees results are troubling
The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is conducted every four years and shows local students crashing further down the international leaderboard.
How embarrassing!
And alarming!
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