Studies of Asia in your school

Does your school teach studies of Asia? Does it teach it well?

We know that most parents strongly support the teaching of studies of Asia in their children’s school.

Yet fewer than half of Australian schools teach studies of Asia in any substantial way. Twenty-five per cent do so superficially and a further 25 per cent of schools don't teach it at all.

For our young people to build an informed understanding of Asia, we must move beyond kites and exotic food festivals. Students need well-structured content that recognises the diversity of cultures in the Asian region.

The two national parent groups, the Australian Council of State School Organisations and the Australian Parents Council, along with the Asia Education Foundation, want to improve this situation.

You can help by taking up the issue in your school community. You can talk to teachers, school administrators, other parents.

Questions and concerns you might like answers to include:

• What is meant by ‘studies of Asia’?
• What sorts of things should our young people know about Asia?
• Why should these studies be included in school curriculums?
• Who says they should be included?
• We don’t have suitable resources or support
• And isn’t the curriculum overcrowded already?
• How can I make changes at my school?

Important resources

• National Statement for Engaging Young Australians with Asia in Australian Schools
• Teacher and School Resource: A guide to implementing the National Statement