Multicultural issues in relation to education

For many years, there has been a growing attention to issues of race and ethnicity in relation to various ‘minority’ groups. Efforts have been to understand why some groups have been struggling to assimilate to the norms of migrant receiving nations, such as Australia and America. Indigenous communities are an example of a struggling minority group in Australia.  Fozdar, Wilding and Hawkins have outlined those who ‘lack’ English language skills, or who ‘lack’ a particular educational experience, or who ‘lack’ strong local employment networks tend to face great difficulties in becoming successful.

Racism in education is a key factor affecting indigenous students. Even though we live in a multicultural society many people do not abide to this resulting in many problems.  Australian being the multicultural country one of the key goals of the educational system is the cultivating respect for cultural diversity, social cohesion and cultural understanding.  In teaching students about the importance of understanding different cultures we learn to live with each other in harmony.

Apple talks about ‘the sphere of education is on in which the Right has been ascendant’. The social democratic goal of expanding equality of opportunity has been a limiting reform. In the article; Raise expectations for Indigenous Children, senator Scullion stated that problems in remote indigenous communities were caused by poverty rather than Aboriginality.  Indigenous students face many hardships in gaining an education due to their cultural differences. Disadvantages faced by indigenous students include; low income, low socio-economic background and language spoken other than English. Tony Abbott has promised "a new engagement" with the First Australians, pledging to be a "Prime Minister for Indigenous Affairs," by bringing indigenous policy into his department and having Scullion in cabinet solely focused on indigenous affairs.

A number of strategies will need to be put in place in order to encourage indigenous students to gain an education. Firstly schools will need to have more respect for differences in order to have a more adequate learning environment.  Also there need to be more funding’s for multicultural issues in relation to education. Once these issues have been overcome there will effective communication between the teacher and students. With education, there will need more adaptations of the curriculum to suit the variety of cultures in each classroom with this the quality of teaching will need to improved in order for an effective learning environment. Also for students in need their needs to be adequate ESL support to improve their learning. For instance with Indigenous students they might have language difficulties this will effect there education need. Teachers will need to provide extra support to improve their English while maintaining their own language. With this there will be an effective teaching environment improving their education and maintaining their school environment.

 References:

Dan Harrison (2013). Raise Expectations for Indigenous children: Senator. Retrieved on the 15/09/13 from http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/raise-expectations-for-indigenous-children-senator-20130918-2txs5.html

Fozdar, F. Wilding, R. Hawkins, M. (2009) Race and Ethnic Relations, Oxford University Press

Apple, M (1996). Cultural Politics and Education. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.