Aboriginal Languages To Become HSC Subject In 2016

As of 2016, Aboriginal languages will be a HSC subject for NSW students.

The announcement was made yesterday by NSW Education Minister Adrian Piccoli.

As relayed by the SMH, Minister Piccoli believes “this new course will help maintain this critical part of Aboriginal cultures.”

The NSW indigenous languages policy was introduced in 2005, allowing students to study Aboriginal languages from kindergarten to year 10.

Now that it’s believed both teachers and students are ready to undertake it as a HSC subject, the option to continue Aboriginal languages study in years 11 and 12 has been introduced.

The syllabuses are being developed in consultation with the respective indigenous communities.

At this point, the “content-endorsed” course will not contribute to a student’s ATAR score.

Leslie Williams, the NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, is optimistic about the course’s transition to upper school.

"This course will aid Aboriginal young people to become the future custodians and caretakers of their languages and empower them to maintain a strong sense of identity,” she said.

“For non-Aboriginal young people it will provide them with a deeper understanding of the world's oldest living culture.”

Hopefully the rest of Australia will follow suit.