Political scientist, Frank Salter, taking an interest in his 13 year old son’s online (state) education during the school shutdown, was privy to the son’s English teacher presenting parts of the NSW teaching of the subject. He found that one of the lessons had NOTHING to do with English.

Lesson 4 was actually a lesson in “identity politics”, requiring Year 8 students to “define and give examples” of social inequity, racism, segregation, ghettos, civil rights and slavery; plus researching the “victimhood” of American-Africans in the US (where else?).

Not one question was directed at literature, texts or poetry; all about politics and society, viewed from an “extremely ethnocentric and pessimistic” black-American perspective. No opposing views. No English.

There was also waffle about Australia’s “really dark history with racial discrimination and segregation”. And some objections to “indigenous” Australians 50 years and older being advised to stay home (China virus), whereas it was 70 years for “other” Australians.

In response to Dr. Salter’s objections made to the school, a deputy principal telephoned him to say that, while he sympathised, if the lessons were changed, the school might get ANOTHER visit from Aboriginal activists accusing them of racism. Nothing said about visa-bearing black African-American activists rocking up.

Instead of continuing to fund schools run by ultra-Marxist unions, (and outside activists, apparently) governments should be paying for vouchers so that parents an choose, if they wish, to put their kids through the private system, where academic results, not radical politics, are sought and taught.

'Lesson 4 was actually a lesson in “identity politics”, requiring Year 8 students to “define and give examples” of social inequity, racism, segregation, ghettos, civil rights and slavery; plus researching the “victimhood” of American-Africans in the US (where else?).'

straight from the Joe Biden textbook. If you don't vote for the corrupt democrats you are not black.

ttbn,
Most conservatives knew that all along but it's good you put it up for the Regressives & sexually challenged to read !
You never know, some of them might not have gone too far down the tube yet & it might shake them towards some common sense !

I totally sympathize with Frank Salter.

I feel thankful that my sons have turned out to be
independent analytical thinkers who were always
cynical about the attempted indoctrination within
the school system. Hopefully they will keep an eye
on what their children, our grandchildren will be
taught in the years ahead. Parent involvement in
their children's schools is essential.

Dear Foxy,

I had to look up who Frank Slater was. A Quadrant author it seems so I suspect he looks at these things through a hard right prisim.
http://quadrant.org.au/opinion/qed/2020/05/the-english-curriculums-comorbidity/

By his definition the Holocaust and the literature would also be a "not at all about English, and all about politics and society viewed from an extremely ethnocentric and pessimistic"...Jewish..." perspective. Students are not provided with opposed viewpoints."

Or if they were to study it the viewpoints of Holocaust deniers should be discussed as well?

Idiotic.

While the basic issue deserves some reflection this is a petulant piece by a petulant writer and hardly done in good faith.

Strange to see SR commenting, as he doesn't read my posts.