What has Yoorrook heard about the education system
The Yoorrook Justice Commission is looking into the barriers First Peoples face in accessing all levels of education, as well as the racism many still endure within the system.
Yoorrook has heard extensive evidence of past and ongoing racism and discrimination within the Victorian education systems.
“Since colonisation schools have played a significant role in reinforcing racist perceptions and stereotypes about First Peoples and perpetuating false narratives about colonial history… These effects can be seen in the racism that continues to be experienced by First Peoples students.”
– Ben Carroll, Victorian Education Minister
On this page are some of the responses Yoorrook has received as part of its inquiry.
What you've told us about Education
Education Submissions
Northland Digital Stories Series by Northlands Collective Mob is about the fight to keep Northland Secondary College open after the decision to close it in 1992 by the Kennett Government.
Education Hearing Videos
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How could First Peoples’ history and culture be better taught at school?
- Telling the truth about colonisation
- Incorporate language
- Every kid should know who the traditional owners are of the land they live on and what that means to their people
- having a presence in school
- no excuse policy
- part of the curriculum
A little more time dedicated to teaching it per week and more excursions to historic places/land
I used to work in childcare and I tried to involve Indigenous culture within the younger generation. But it’s just the stop of Indigenous culture in primary school because there’s not much of the history that they’re being taught. And then there’s only a little bit going into high school and not really as much that there should be. It means like our history is not getting put forward to – as the generations getting older. And we just want the history to be taught the way of what our history actually is, not like an assumption of our history. And I just want more of our culture being spoken to instead of other cultures from like overseas being taught. It should be First Nations culture being taught first.
Being embedded authentically rather than separate.
It needs to be a top down approach ensuring senior management are equally passionate.
In all schools we should have a history unit on indigenous history of this country from time immemorial to 1880 and another one for british history of this country to from the first contact on this continent to 1880. There should also be history units for the idea federation from 1880 to 1901 and for actual federation from 1901 to now incorporating both indigenous and nonindigenous viewpoints.
More First people history
History and culture should be taught with the voice of those who’s history and culture it is. Funding for community voices to be included in programming that is led by community.
News, Stories and Videos
News & Stories
19 February 2025
What is Yoorrook up to in 2025?
Yoorrook represents Victoria’s commitment to understanding our shared history so we can build a better future together. The Commission has finalised its major hearing blocks and closed submissions. So, what is Yoorrook up to now?
News & Stories
18 December 2024
A powerful year for Truth and Treaty
In 2024 the Yoorrook Justice Commission investigated the systemic injustices faced by First Peoples in land, sky and waters, education, health, and housing. From hearing evidence at the site of the first recorded massacre in Victoria to the premier’s historic visit to Coranderrk, it has been a year filled with powerful moments.
News & Stories
31 July 2024
Yoorrook’s social justice hearings wrap up
Victoria’s truth telling commission has finished its social justice hearings, which looked into the systemic injustices faced by First Peoples in education, health, housing and the economy. Read on to find out more about key evidence and moments from the hearings.
Videos
2 July 2024
“White kids didn’t like me simply because I was black.”
Aunty Nellie Flagg shares with Commissioners firsthand experiences of racism at school.
Videos
27 June 2024
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll MP apologises for ongoing racism in schools
Victorian Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll MP apologises for ongoing racism in Victorian schools.
Videos
19 June 2024
If representation’s in the school, people feel connected and feel safer
Watch James Cumming, Principal of Reservoir East Primary School explain how the school creates a welcoming environment for First Peoples students.
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