Bilingual Education
If there is one topic that divides opinion it's the value of bilingual education. A stark contrast between two opinions that both claim their approach produces better outcomes for indigenous Australians.
Does education in an indigenous language return benefit of self-esteem and pride ? Does it empower communities ? What other benefits are there ?
Or is it another hurdle to prevent indigenous Australians from fully participating in a modern society ? When we say 'education is the key' do we really mean education in the culture and language of whitefellah Australia
Is there value in supporting a language with 300 speakers ?
The debate continues.........
And the right-wing view from Bolt.
I can only respond with my whitefella views but they may be clouded by mis-information and my own ignorance on the topic/situation.
ReplyDeleteIn stark terms, supporting a language with only 300 speakers seems extravagent especially when eduaction funding in general terms is stretched to the limit. On the other hand, when funding IA (indigenous Australians) education, surely its really no different from funding the saving of an obscure insect on the verge of extintion.