Reconciliation and Social Justice Library
Reconciliation and Social Justice Library
6.43 The other two strategies under the National Aboriginal Languages and Literacy Strategy, both part of the AEP, are the Aboriginal Literacy Strategy (ALS) and the Aboriginal Languages Education Strategy (ALES). Total funding for these two programs will be $2.625m in 1992-93 rising to $5.25m in each of the next two years.
6.44 The Aboriginal Languages Education Strategy will involve the targeting of funds under the AEP to:
· develop strategies geared toward the teaching of Aboriginal languages in schools, including special languages other than English programs in Aboriginal languages for children in Aboriginal schools, bilingual/bicultural programs, measures for Aboriginal languages curriculum development and materials production, and the provision of Aboriginal bilingual language teaching and para-professional staffing resources; and
· provide assistance in the development of Aboriginal language courses in higher education or TAFE, or the development of Aboriginal language components for inclusion in other higher education and TAFE courses. 134
The committee believes that ATSI language courses offered should be relevant to the school area as far as possible.
6.45 The Aboriginal Literacy Strategy will involve the targeting of funds under the AEP to develop:
· special supplementary strategies to improve the English literacy of Aboriginal primary and secondary school students, particularly students whose first language is not English, but also recognising the existence of Aboriginal English. Such strategies could focus on culturally relevant styles of literacy learning and ESL and ESD measures especially designed to meet the needs of Aboriginal students; and
· TAFE-accredited English literacy and ESL courses especially for Aboriginal adults who have had limited access to education and who wish to improve their English competence. 135
6.46 The committee is concerned that these funds not be used by state and territory governments to replace existing funding. If these strategies are to be effective then the additional funds must reach their target.
6.47 The committee recommends that:
· the Commonwealth ensure that funds allocated under the Aboriginal Languages Education Strategy and the Aboriginal Literacy Strategy are used appropriately by the state and territory governments and not used to replace existing mainstream program funds. (Recommendation