Once again I agree with King Canute.

Education needs to accommodate and embrace the cultures of the people.

If the awfully applied word of assimilation ought to be applied to anyone, it ought to be applied to all of us who came to Australia in the last couple of hundred years.

In answer to 2deadly's comments, probably ably answered by Rainier, I am concerned that Chris Sarra has become too absorbed in or consumed by the processes of mainstream, conservative and relatively new (at only 150 years of age) education and curricula. When I was finally able to see the Insight debate on Monday afternoon, he was impressive but given too short a time to express much about values. I know that the monolithic education machine can be or appear overwhelming, but it is vital for individuals to hold on to who they are, and remain an individual. This why the original idea posed of paying young people to attend School is almost abhorrent. It fails to address the issues surrounding the maintenance of principles, values, culture and identity that is missing from "education" as it is served up in schools to our (not only indigenous) children. All children need far more than what is currently delivered. The purposes for which education is delivered is separate and distinct from what young people can learn and that is necessary for preparation for their lives as effective, independent adults in an open, civil, democratic society that we all need to struggle to acheive.

Regards, Derek Sheppard

Ranier,

Great points. Funny how the daggers are out for Sarra by so many while he holds the DG's ear and with it the opportunity to suggest the future changes needed for us mob. My personal contact with the lad have indicated that like many media savy people, his message and methods have a mandate and he remains black in the midst of this surf.

I don't think he has been in control of the media image but as always, media tend to run with thier own ideology rather than that which 'you' highlight regardless of the actual words and media releases. Nevertheless, it has a purpose, to raise the awareness and demonstrate that this double or lesser standard needs to change, not only at the levle of the attitude of children, parents and communities but more importantly, the policy makers, money holders and power brokers. All of which will take Sarra's email or phone call (I suspect).

I would not consider the cultural teaching efforts at the school "gammon" seeing that, the recently deceased brother in charge, was committed to no end to ensuring that it was meaningful, community-based and embedded in the curriculum.

I think that changing the perception of the public by demonstrating and countering the current view is through the pages of the Australian and Courier Mail (Koori Mail too) rather than the few that read the online opinion virtual pages.

And now he has an institution to do what he sees as directional viable...and the funding to back it.

Just a thought...friend/brother (Bungi/Yumba)

2deadly, the daggers are not so much out for Sarra and for what he stands for in education as it largely appears to be unsupported by real evidence.

Am i being too cynical or just realistic in terms of my utruism?

And whose culture was being taught? Gabbi Gabbi, Wakka Wakka,? This is no disrespect for our late brother but a very important question in terms of how schools are organised and governed, not just as adjunct or embedded curriculum offerings.

More soon.

A new education paradigm? The following is something I wrote for another forum but it is relevent here

in some societies children work.
The united nations and others condemn child labour.

In some societies the children follow the adults around copying what they do and listening to what they say as they work.

In our society any consideration of the economic world, and the necesarry skills to be prosperous in it are reserved until the learner is an adult, when they leave school. At that point they begin their career development for entry into the bottom rung of the economy and begin the life long struggle to get to the second rung.

In other paradigms, a 5 year old child, if the child is that of the best hunter around, may well be the second best hunter around, or at least as good as the market standard.

A new education and training paradigm is relevant to all Australians as schools are simply not working at all for over 1/3 of mainstream students - apparently. May I suggest that the new education paradigm be based on entry into the economy at the highest possible rung at the earliest possible age - based on developmental milestones starting with helping out (work) at home.