Debate over Australian education and national day

Article 1 discusses the issue of lack of Christian culture in Australian schools and how it is alienating kids from their cultural heritage. Article 2 discusses the debate over celebrating January 26 as the national day of Australia and the feelings of indigenous population associated with the same.

Article 1- Why the former prime minister wants more prayer time
The article revolves around parliamentarian Tony Abbott’s views about lack of Christian culture
in Australian schools. The article argues that modern Australian education is alienating kids from
their cultural heritage in the light of sensitivity towards indigenous population, Asian immigrants
and environmental issues. The article mentions at multiple times that the sensitivity and
inclination which is being shown towards indigenous people should also be shown towards
Christianity and gospels.
Presumptions made by the author
The article highlights a very important issue of debate among indigenous and non indigenous
people of Australia. However, while doing so, author makes certain presumptions about the
issue. The first assumption is that schools which are sensitive towards indigenous beliefs cannot
be equally sensitive towards Christianity. On the country Australia has a sizable number of
schools which are affiliated to some religion (Rowe, 2017). Also towards the end of the article,
author mentions a remark about Kosher foods of Jews assuming that readers would understand
the context in which the metaphor is used.
Interpretation of relationship between communities
Another issue in the article is that it portrays that Australian education fails to serve its purpose
of making students better human beings because of declining cultural and moral education in the
educational institutions (news.com, 2018). This opinion will not go favourably with the non
indigenous people of the country. On the other hand, if the article is read by non native person, it
would fuel the misconceptions that because of too much focus on indigenous education,
traditional religious beliefs are eroded from the education system
Absence of indigenous viewpoints
While reading the article, it can be seen that author has not mentioned the reasons for including
the traditional beliefs in Australian education system and the long history of racial discrimination
in the field of education and learning (Bodkin-Andrews & Carlson, 2014). In fact, the article if
read by indigenous people will foster the fact that there is still resistance in the minds of non
indigenous people when it comes to teaching their beliefs and cultures.
Interpretation of readers
The article also tends towards undermining the interests of indigenous population and from an
outsider’s point of view, leaves an impression that beliefs of both indigenous and non-indigenous

people don’t match on the subject of education and curriculum and government is favoring the
latter.
The article though highlights a very important issue, is based on the opinions of one person and
in the absence of proper information and historical context would lead to the miscommunication
and tensions among the communities.
Article 2 - “Remember Indigenous Australians on January 26”
The second article deals with the debate over celebrating January 26 as the national day of
Australia and the feelings of indigenous population of the country associated with the same. The
article discusses various reasons why January 26 does not reflect the right spirit of Australian
nationalism and further goes on to explore the measures that can be taken by the parliament to
improve the representation of indigenous population (The Sydney Morning Herald, 2019).
No presumptions
The article is written a detailed manner highlighting the various aspects of the problems faced by
the indigenous population and what can be the various approaches that can solve the same. The
article does not leave much for the readers to assume and lays down what are the various options
being considered by the Australian political parties to solve these issues.
Presentation of indigenous viewpoint
January 26 is the date when the first fleet from UK landed on Australian soil and as a result, the
native communities of Australia see this as invasion day and not national day. As a result, there
have been constant demands of shifting the dates of national day in order to show the nation’s
acknowledgement of its history (Zappavigna, 2019). Reading about these issues will have a
positive impact on both native and non native Australians as the article does not blame any
community and just presents the facts from holistic point of view.
Positioning of indigenous and non indigenous communities
The article does not present how the opinion of general population on the celebrations is shifting
and the protests are occurring because of population becoming more sensitive (ABC News,
2019). Inclusion of this information would have made the article more informative. On the other
hand the article states a lot of facts regarding the conditions of indigenous population of
Australia, like their mortality rate, crime rate, employment and education etc. Reading all these
statistics will help the readers in understanding the need to give more benefits and acceptance to

the indigenous population as equals in the country. Another good point of the article is that it
presents the other side of the readership as well while saying that the celebration should not
depict the supremacy of white rule over natives, it should depict the struggles that went into
making Australia what it is and therefore 26 January is the right date.
Interpretation of readers
Such opinions will present a balanced perspective to a common Australian reader and help him
to see the issue as per his own judgment on the basis of facts and not just radical speeches and
opinions.
References
ABC News. (2019). Change the date or abolish it: Australia Day protesters. Retrieved from
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-26/australia-day-protests-draw-thousands-calling-
for-date-change/10752882
Bodkin-Andrews, G., & Carlson, B. (2014). The legacy of racism and Indigenous Australian
identity within education. Race Ethnicity And Education, 19(4), 784-807. doi:
10.1080/13613324.2014.969224
news.com. (2018). Why the former prime minister wants more prayer time. Retrieved from
https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/why-the-former-prime-minister-wants-
more-prayer-time/news-story/85050d5d5c6692b4c2ed231ed8fb2e69
Rowe, E. (2017). Religion in Australian schools: an historical and contemporary debate.
Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/religion-in-australian-schools-an-historical-
and-contemporary-debate-82439

The Sydney Morning Herald. (2019). Remember Indigenous Australians on January 26.
Retrieved from https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/remember-indigenous-
australians-on-january-26-20190125-p50tl4.html
Zappavigna, A. (2019). Nine days from Australia Day, the date change debate is back. Retrieved
from https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/australia-day-debate-rages-
on/news-story/52a70ed4928069baf08d64c2c6610f98